Instagram influencer says ex-partner appeared 'ordinary' on day he allegedly murdered his mother

Social media influencer Grace Piscopo arrived at the District Court in Perth for the murder trial of her ex-partner Andre Rebelo. (ABC News: Kenith Png) In short: Andre Rebelo appeared "ordinary" the day he is accused of murdering his mother, the man's ex-partner Gracie Piscopo has told a Perth court. The pair, who share a child, were in a relationship for about eight years at the time Colleen Rebelo was found dead in her Bicton home in 2020. Prosecutors allege the now-28-year-old killed his mother so he could benefit from life insurance policies he'd taken out in her name. Nothing appeared out of the ordinary the day a cryptocurrency investor is accused of murdering his mother, the man's social media influencer ex-partner has told a Perth court. Andre Rebelo has been on trial in the District Court in Perth for several weeks after pleading not guilty to killing his mother Colleen Rebelo in her Bicton home in 2020. The court was told Mr Rebelo was tens of thousands of dollars in debt, with prosecutors alleging he killed his mother so he could benefit from life insurance policies he'd taken out in her name. Andre Rebelo was in a relationship with social media influencer Grace Piscopo. (Supplied) He'd been in a relationship with social media personality Gracie Piscopo at the time, with the court previously hearing details of their extravagant lifestyle. Ms Piscopo, who was referred to as Grace in court, today told the trial there was nothing unusual about Mr Rebelo after he arrived home from his mother's house the day she died. "He said he was going to drop off clothes for [Mr Rebelo's brother] Fabian … At his mum's house," she said. Flurry of texts and calls Earlier in the trial, the court was shown records of phone calls and messages between Ms Piscopo and Mr Rebelo on the day his mother died. The records showed Ms Piscopo tried to call Mr Rebelo more than a dozen times between 11:10 am and 11:35 am. She sent several messages asking Mr Rebelo where he was and telling him to answer his phone. "I'm fuming at you I'm so angry", one message read. Ms Piscopo told the court she was frustrated at the time. "He had a habit of keeping his phone on silent," she told defence lawyer Anthony Elliot. "He'd constantly have it on silent and I couldn't reach him and I was just angry. "I thought he was coming to see my cousin." Colleen Rebelo was found dead at her home in the Perth suburb of Bicton. (Supplied: LinkedIn) Ms Piscopo said she thought Mr Rebelo called her back after the texts, before arriving home. "He just came home, my cousin was there," she said. "Then we were talking about lunch." Mr Elliott asked if there was anything "unusual" about him or if he had any injuries, and she said no to both questions. She said he looked "ordinary". Ms Piscopo said she was frustrated when Mr Rebelo didn't answer his phone. (Supplied: Anne Barnetson) Ms Piscopo said she was getting her nails done when police called her after Mr Rebelo had been arrested on suspicion of fraud, describing it as a "traumatic day". Lucrative business Earlier, Ms Piscopo said she was in a relationship with Mr Rebelo for "seven or eight years", living together at Yangebup before moving to Beaconsfield. Describing her social media business, the 28-year-old said collaborations could be with brands, including for makeup, and fashion. She said a post could net up to $8,000, and a video on YouTube could attract $5,000. Ms Piscopo said social media posts and videos were worth thousands. (ABC News: Kenith Png) Ms Piscopo said one brand deal earned her $80,000 over 12 months. Ms Piscopo said it may "sound simple" to make videos and post content, but it involved a lot of logistics. She said the work was sometimes "tedious", but she liked giving back to her community of followers. Mr Rebelo worked with her in the business, with Ms Piscopo saying her ex-partner had also hoped to make "six figures" through cryptocurrency.