During a court case, Monique told the jury that her mother, Colleen Rebelo, was found dead in her en suite shower by her youngest son in May 2020, wearing jewellery and wet from a shower. Monique also revealed that her mother’s psychologist contacted her three months after her death, concerned that someone was trying to use her name to verify information with regards to insurance, possibly her brother Andre. Andre denied the claims and said it was a mistake, as it was the wrong Colleen being referred to. Monique also mentioned that a friend had arranged to collect two bags from her mother’s home on the day she died, and she saw no other bags in the hallway when she left that morning.
The court heard evidence from a police officer who attended the house on the day Colleen was found dead, stating that she was found on the bathroom floor, naked and wet from a shower, but wearing jewellery including a necklace, earrings, a bracelet, a ring, and a gold watch. The officer mentioned that a coronial investigation could not determine the cause of Colleen’s death. Additionally, on the first day of the trial, it was revealed that mobile phone cell tower data placed Rebelo at his mother’s house around the time she died, with prosecutors alleging that he had the opportunity to kill his mother and stage her death to look like natural causes.
Monique, who avoided eye contact with her brother Andre throughout her testimony, also discussed how Rebelo sent a text message to their youngest sibling, Fabian, claiming he had left a bag of clothes for him on the day their mother died. However, Fabian testified that he had no recollection of the clothes or the message about them. The court also heard that Colleen’s sister observed Rebelo’s car parked outside her home on the morning Colleen died, suggesting that he was present at the time of her death. The evidence presented by the prosecution aimed to establish Rebelo’s potential involvement in his mother’s death.
The trial continued with the prosecution alleging that Rebelo had the opportunity to kill his mother and stage her death as accidental. Monique’s testimony, along with the evidence presented by the police officer and Fabian, raised questions about Rebelo’s actions and statements surrounding the events leading up to Colleen’s death. The court also learned about the psychologist’s concerns about someone using Colleen’s name for insurance verification, which led to speculation about Andre’s possible involvement in his mother’s death. These details shed light on the complex nature of the case and the various factors being considered by the jury.
As the trial progressed, more information came to light regarding Rebelo’s interactions and possible motives surrounding his mother’s death. The jury was presented with evidence that placed Rebelo at the scene of the crime around the time Colleen died, as well as conflicting accounts of his actions and communication with family members. The prosecution continued to build its case against Rebelo, painting a picture of a son who may have had the means and opportunity to harm his mother. The trial’s unfolding events added to the mystery surrounding Colleen’s death and raised questions about the true circumstances of her passing.
