Overview of the Case
In a chilling turn of events, a woman from New Zealand is facing charges of murdering her elderly mother, following an alleged cryptocurrency scam that siphoned off substantial funds just days before the incident. Julia DeLuney is accused of killing her 79-year-old mother, Helen Gregory, at their home in Khandallah on January 24, 2024.
Details of the Allegations
Prosecutors assert that DeLuney attempted to disguise the crime as an accidental fall from the attic, but forensic evidence revealed that the types of injuries suffered – particularly severe blunt force trauma to the head – could not plausibly be explained by a simple fall.
Financial Misconduct and Cryptocurrency Involvement
According to court details reported by NewstalkZB, DeLuney’s troubles with crypto trading played a pivotal role in this case. She reportedly had been engaged in significant financial misconduct, which included stealing funds from her mother and orchestrating complex crypto scams in the months leading up to the alleged murder. Financial audits show that in the year prior to the alleged crime, DeLuney transferred over NZD $156,555 (approximately USD $90,000) to various cryptocurrency platforms, while simultaneously losing more than NZD $68,000 (about USD $40,900) on speculative investments.
Fabricated Claims and Financial Manipulation
Two days prior to Gregory’s death, DeLuney sent her mother an email claiming that a recent cryptocurrency investment had yielded more than $160,000 USD in profits. She requested that her mother cover half of the purported withdrawal fees amounting to NZD $30,000 (around $18,000 USD). According to expert testimony, these claims were completely fabricated and indicative of a scam.
Following this communication, Gregory deposited $6,000 NZD into DeLuney’s account and withdrew $9,000 NZD from her retirement savings, under the misled impression that the funds would be invested in a secure crypto opportunity. However, rather than funneling this money into investments, DeLuney reportedly used it to pay off debts, cover lifestyle expenses, and even buy lottery tickets. Analysis showed that only a fraction of the money – about $1,200 NZD – ended up in actual cryptocurrency investments.
Investigation and Legal Proceedings
Further eyebrow-raising activities were highlighted when DeLuney made a series of quick cash deposits at ATMs that raised suspicion among financial auditors. Blockchain analysis confirmed that DeLuney’s actions, often perceived by criminals as a means of anonymity, were traceable, countering the common belief in the crypto community regarding privacy.
The blockchain provides a transparent, immutable record that is actually much easier to investigate than traditional financial transactions.
– Chainalysis
When questioned by police following the incident, DeLuney claimed that she had left the house to get help after Gregory’s fall, maintaining that she found her mother dead upon her return. However, her story was riddled with inconsistencies, particularly concerning blood traces discovered throughout the residence, including at the attic ladder. DeLuney continues to assert her innocence, with her legal team arguing that law enforcement focused too intently on her as the sole suspect, ignoring other potential leads. The trial in Wellington High Court remains ongoing as further details of this disturbing case emerge.
