Suspicious circumstances surround Dene Broadbelt’s supposed “death”

The email that arrived at radioinfo late last night looked genuine enough at first glance, but by early this morning cracks had started to appear in the story. 

It was from a Jason Blackford who said he was a friend of Dene’s from his time at 2DU, ZOOFM in Dubbo. When contacted by radioinfo, station management could not recall the name Jason Blackford.

The note started…

“I have to inform everyone of the sad news that Dene Broadbelt, died unexpectedly on Saturday night when he took his own life.”

But at least two people have confirmed seeing him on Sunday evening at the Provedore Cafe in the Victorian town of Timboon where he had been conducting most of his “business” of late.

A further tip-off came via The Standard who had just this morning published an article warning locals, “A notorious conman with alleged debts across Australia has turned up in south-west Victoria trying to set up a real estate agency and recruit staff.”

We spoke to one of those would-be staff who said he discovered Broadbelt’s other aliases and scamming history online and confronted him with it as late as Monday night, after which Broadbelt closed down his facebook page. His phone number goes to voice mail and he is not answering his emails.

Although this is consistent with his behaviour when in similar predicaments in the past, it is also consistent with someone who is dead. Yet, for someone as flamboyant as Broadbelt, facebook would have been the perfect place to post a suicide note. Why close it down?

We also checked with the NSW Police whether they had received any reports of Broadbelt’s (or his alias Mussolin) death. Sergeant Dave Rose told us: “A search of our systems has not revealed anyone by either of those names being reported deceased.”
 

The rest of the Mr Blackford’s apparently fake email (with some redactions) reads…

“There is to be a memorial service held ASAP (date and time will be announced as soon as possible) We would ask that Dene’s final wishes are observed, and there are to be no flowers, donations to World Vision would be welcomed instead.

“Our grief and confusion at this time are little compared to what Dene’s family must be feeling. Our hearts and prayers go out to them. 

“His mother Suzanne can be contacted on her mobile xxxx xxx xxx for further details in regards to his funeral and service although we do request you refrain from contacting her unless the matter is urgent due to the current situation.

“Although it was stated in his suicide letter that was discovered the words, “Person’s Name was the reason behind this and he will get his day and I’ve made sure of that.” he also mentioned 2DU & ZOO FM’s Person’s Name as an idol and a person he looked up to and also thanked him for being the backbone of his radio career.”

Alarm bells started to ring when subsequent emails to Mr Blackford asking for answers for simple questions such as in what town Dene was when he died and whether Police had been called were inconclusive,  “as mentioned in my previous email i am not sure which town and i have no further info expect (sic) for what i’ve given you.” wrote Mr Blackford.

When radioinfo contacted Dene’s “mother” by phone this morning we were met with a torrent of abuse and the foulest of language from a woman claiming not to be his mother and who refused to confirm or deny that he had passed away.

It could well be that Dene Broadbelt took his own life just as Jason Blackford’s email suggests. In which case it would be a tragedy for an otherwise intelligent young man to end his life in such circumstances. However on the evidence so far, it is increasingly looking like just the latest twist in Dene Broadbelt’s fantasy world of cons and scams.

We will keep you posted if circumstances change. 

If you have any further information regarding this, please email [email protected]

If this report has raised issues for you or someone you know, you can contact Beyond Blue for help here or phone 1300 22 46 36.

 

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