Khandallah Murder Trial: Daughter’s Alleged Crypto Investment Scheme

Khandallah Murder Trial: Daughter’s Alleged Crypto Investment Scheme
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Homicide Inquiry: Daughter Charged in Mother’s Death Amid Missing Funds

Background of the Case

A tragic incident has unfolded in Khandallah, where 79-year-old Helen Gregory was found dead in her home in January of the previous year. Her daughter, Julia DeLuney, faces murder charges but asserts that another individual is responsible for the crime.

Financial Disputes and Missing Money

In the months leading up to her death, Gregory confided in friends about significant amounts of money that had vanished from her residence. This included a staggering $85,000, which her daughter later admitted to investing in cryptocurrency. The prosecution has indicated that DeLuney, who was involved in cryptocurrency trading, may have been experiencing financial difficulties, leading her to allegedly assault her mother before leaving the scene.

DeLuney claims that she left her mother with only minor injuries after an accident involving a fall from the attic. She returned to her home on the Kāpiti Coast, only to come back later to find her mother’s house in chaos.

Distrust of Financial Institutions

The High Court in Wellington has heard that Gregory had a deep mistrust of banks, opting instead to keep cash hidden in various locations throughout her home on Baroda Street. Following a fall in September 2023, Gregory was hospitalized, during which time DeLuney and her husband stayed at her residence.

Upon returning home, Gregory discovered her house in disarray, with alcohol bottles scattered and her daughter’s dogs having made a mess.

Friends’ Testimonies

Friends of Gregory have testified in court about her concerns regarding the missing funds. One friend, Cheryl Thomson, recounted a conversation in which Gregory detailed how she had hidden $85,000 in her dressing gown, ensuring she would know if it had been disturbed. After returning from the hospital, Gregory discovered the money was gone and expressed her suspicions to Thomson, stating that DeLuney was the only person aware of its location.

Gregory was reportedly upset about her daughter taking the money without her permission. DeLuney later claimed to have invested the funds in cryptocurrency, assuring her mother that it was secure.

Another friend, Elizabeth Askin, recalled that DeLuney had initially promised to return the funds by November 2023 but later changed her timeline, indicating she would not repay the money until April of the following year.

Reports of Theft and Disturbing Calls

The court also learned that Gregory had reported an additional $13,000 missing from a salad bowl at the end of 2023. A recording of her call to the police on New Year’s Day was played for the jury, where she mentioned receiving mysterious phone calls daily, often with no one on the other end. This situation caused her considerable distress, as she feared someone was surveilling her home.

Gregory shared her concerns about these calls with her friend, Jennifer Patterson, who testified that Gregory felt increasingly anxious about the situation.

Character Witnesses

During cross-examination by DeLuney’s attorney, friends confirmed that Gregory was a kind-hearted individual, known for her mental and spiritual strength. She was actively involved in her church and was generous to those in need, though she preferred to keep her charitable acts private.

The jury trial, overseen by Justice Peter Churchman, has now completed its second week and is anticipated to continue for an additional two weeks.

This article was originally published in the New Zealand Herald.

Disclaimer: This article is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Readers are encouraged to conduct their own research before making any investment decisions.

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