A chilling case is unfolding in New Zealand, where cryptocurrencies play a central role. Julia DeLuney, a former teacher and crypto investor, stands accused of murdering her 79-year-old mother, Helen Gregory. Prosecutors claim the motive behind the crime wasn’t just personal turmoil but a dark spiral of debt and crypto fraud.

Fall from the Attic – or Cold-Blooded Murder?

The incident took place on January 24, 2024, in the quiet suburb of Khandallah. DeLuney claimed her mother had fallen from the attic stairs. However, forensic experts concluded that the head injuries did not match a simple fall – they were consistent with multiple blunt force traumas. Prosecutors argue it was a meticulously planned murder designed to cover up ongoing financial scams.

Cryptocurrencies as the Trigger

Investigators uncovered that between January 2023 and January 2024, DeLuney had transferred over $90,000 to crypto platforms. Her expenses, however, far exceeded her income. Just two days before the murder, she emailed her mother, claiming that a crypto investment made on her behalf had generated over $160,000 in profit. She requested $18,000 in fake withdrawal and tax fees. Her mother transferred $9,000 to her – just one day before her death.

A crypto expert later testified that the fees were entirely fictitious. Furthermore, DeLuney didn’t invest the money – instead, she used it to pay off credit card debt, stream services, Afterpay installments, and even bought a lottery ticket.

A Pattern of Deception

Bank records showed a series of suspicious deposits – including eight cash deposits totaling $18,000 in one day. Such patterns often signal attempts to disguise the origin of funds. Investigators also found that DeLuney invested only $1,200 in crypto – the rest went to cover her personal financial troubles.

Blockchain as Evidence

Despite DeLuney’s belief that crypto would provide anonymity, blockchain transparency worked against her. Investigators were able to trace every transaction. “Unlike cash-based investigations, blockchain offers a unified, immutable ledger,” experts noted.

Inconsistent Testimony and Blood Evidence

DeLuney claimed she left the house to seek help after her mother fell, only to return and find her dead. But police uncovered timeline inconsistencies and blood traces throughout the house, including the attic stairs.

The defense insists DeLuney is innocent and that the police are unfairly targeting her as the sole suspect. The trial continues, and the outcome could shape public perception of cryptocurrencies and their potential misuse.



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