Family left shattered as boyfriend of their dead daughter is charged with stealing $2,400 from her bank account just days after she passed away
- Boyfriend of woman who died in 2019 accused of stealing from her bank savings
- Kim Heptinstall, from WA, passed away following complications from surgery
- Her boyfriend Travis Barnard also allegedly tried to access her superannuation
- Brother of Ms Heptinstall said family are grateful police are investigating
The family of a dead woman have been left devastated after her boyfriend was accused of robbing her in the days after her death.
Kim Heptinstall died in July 2019 following complications from surgery. Just days later her family were told her boyfriend had allegedly tried to access her superannuation.
Travis Barnard, who had been in an ‘off and on’ relationship with Ms Heptinstall for two years, had allegedly tried to get hold of her death certificate to access her account.
Kim Heptinstall (pictured) died in July 2019 following complications from surgery
Travis Barnard (pictured right), who had been in an ‘off and on’ relationship with Ms Heptinstall for two years, had allegedly accessed her bank accounts
Her furious family told authorities their concerns which led to an investigation by the Australian Federal Police and a number of charges, according to The West Australian.
Police say he stole a total of $2,400 from Ms Heptinstall, 32, between July 20 and 25 2019.
The 28-year-old allegedly used her Samsung phone to transfer money between bank accounts before going to an ATM and using her card to withdraw cash.
Officers alleged he made the ATM withdrawals on three occasions.
Ms Heptinstall’s brother told the publication he was grateful police were pursuing the investigation.
‘It’s been a very difficult year. We have not had the opportunity to grieve our sister and are now trying to come to terms with what’s happened,’ Ben Heptinstall said.
‘Kim was everybody’s friend. She was fun, loving as well as the life of the party. And she loved being an aunty. I have kids and they were her world. They loved their Aunty Kim. She is greatly missed.’
Mr Barnard has been charged with one count of using a telecommunication network to commit a serious offence for allegedly accessing the dead woman’s bank account.
He fronted court on Friday for a plea hearing, however, Commonwealth prosecutors asked for the plea not to be heard and the matter to be adjourned to allow them to review the charges.
The AFP are continuing to investigate whether he was about to finalise a claim for almost $400,000 in superannuation savings and life insurance benefits.
Electronic devices and financial records are being examined since being seized from his residence in Perth’s eastern suburbs on July 23.
He is expected to front court again in September.
Ms Heptinstall’s brother said he is grateful police are pursuing the investigation