In a shocking case blending financial deception with familial violence, 53-year-old Julia DeLuney stands accused of murdering her 79-year-old mother Helen Gregory following disputes over cryptocurrency investments gone wrong. The Wellington High Court heard disturbing details this week about how an alleged NZD $51,000 theft escalated into tragedy.

Hidden Cash Sparks Deadly Conflict

Gregory, who reportedly distrusted banks, kept substantial cash reserves hidden throughout her Khandallah home in plastic packets. When hospitalized after a September 2023 fall, DeLuney and her husband occupied the residence — during which time 【NZD $51,000】 vanished from its hiding places. "She was certain Julia alone knew those locations," testified family friend Cheryl Thomson, describing Gregory's distress upon discovering the theft during her recovery.

Financial records presented in court revealed DeLuney had poured over 【NZD $93,000】 into cryptocurrency markets between January 2023 and January 2024, while receiving 【NZD $55,000】 in family financial support during the same period. Analyst Eric Huang confirmed these investments showed a 【NZD $41,000】 deficit by the time of Gregory's death.

Fabricated Crypto Windfall Preceded Tragedy

Prosecutors outlined a chilling timeline where DeLuney allegedly emailed her mother two days before the killing, claiming the stolen funds had generated 【NZD $160,000】 in profits. The message requested NZD $18,000 to cover purported withdrawal fees — a tactic financial experts identified as mirroring classic crypto scam patterns.

——"These fabricated fees represent textbook deception," testified digital currency fraud specialist Dr. Liam Chen——. Gregory's friends recounted her growing anxiety about the missing money, with Elizabeth Askin noting repeated broken promises about repayment dates throughout 2023.

Crime Scene Tells Contradictory Story

When Gregory was found dead in January 2024, DeLuney initially claimed her mother fell from the attic. However, forensic evidence painted a grimmer picture — blood spatter patterns, hair clusters in multiple rooms, and staged injury locations all contradicted the accident narrative. Detective Sergeant Giulia Boffa highlighted suspicious details including DeLuney's 【three clothing changes】 on the night in question and unexplained travel routes.

The prosecution alleges DeLuney attacked her mother during a confrontation about the stolen funds, then attempted to disguise the scene. Currently on electronically monitored bail, the defendant maintains her innocence while facing life imprisonment if convicted.

Broader Implications for Crypto Oversight

This tragic case has sparked renewed debate in New Zealand about cryptocurrency consumer protections. ——"When investment desperation meets family financial secrets, the results can be catastrophic,"—— observed Victoria University criminology professor Mark Henley. The trial continues as authorities examine whether the stolen funds flowed through registered exchanges or peer-to-peer platforms.