Alleged Conman Denies Faking Own Death In Bizarre Saga

Infamous music-industry identity and alleged conman Dene Broadbelt — aka Dene Mussillon, Dene Morgan and Harrison 'Harry' O'Connor — has denied being the author of a late-night press release sent out on Tuesday to media around the country claiming that he had taken his own life the Saturday prior.

In the original release, issued on 17 March by a Jason Blackford, the writer claimed that Broadbelt had "died unexpectedly" on Saturday, 14 March, of self-inflicted causes, and that funeral arrangements were being made "ASAP". It went on to provide a number ostensibly to get in contact with Broadbelt's mother, though advised against calling it except in the case of emergency, and even quoted a passage from his alleged suicide note. Today, though, it's a very different story.

"I am not dead," Broadbelt told the Bay Post/Moruya Examiner in an interview published yesterday​, before claiming that Blackford was an ex-coworker from his time in western NSW. However, radioinfo reports that management at the station at which Broadbelt claims to have worked with Blackford — 2DU ZOOFM, in Dubbo — has no recollection of a Jason Blackford ever working there.

Nonetheless, Broadbelt is adamant he once worked with the alleged author of Tuesday night's release, and "100 per cent" denies being the man behind the words, even going so far as to surreptitiously suggest the station itself was involved ("I did leave the station on bad terms," he told the paper after being asked why he thought the release had been written).

"I do not have connection with [Blackford] any more," he said. "We became friends. We have not spoken since 2012, so the email just came out of nowhere.

"I got a call at four o'clock on Tuesday going into Wednesday morning from my grandmother saying, 'Are you still alive?'."

Early suspicions began to circulate that Broadbelt might actually still be alive after locals in the south-western town of Timboon began to report he had been trying to set up a real estate agency there, was seen at the local Provedore Cafe by at least two residents on Sunday night — the day after he had allegedly killed himself — and was still active on social media on Monday.

Some in the town began to do more comprehensive background checks as Broadbelt attempted to seed roots for his real estate enterprise, with one person contacted to become a potential employee describing Broadbelt as "dodgy from the start", and a local business operator communicating that he had "wasted a lot of our time" during his time in Timboon. After being confronted by a pair of locals he had been courting for employment, his phone was turned off and social media pages deleted.

In his interview with the Bay Post, which has since been picked up by Fairfax, Broadbelt claims he was forced to legally change his name to Harrison O'Connor — a previous alias linked to several allegations of fraudulent behaviour —  on the advice of his lawyer, as well as having to declare bankruptcy in the wake of his failed ventures, which included a music festival and talent-signing pursuits. 

Broadbelt also denied his widely reported status as a conman, claiming that his situation — on which theMusic.com.au reported widely last year — was simply a case of debts spinning out of control.

"I made a mistake when I was younger," he said. "I racked up a few debts, it came to $250,000."

"I have changed my name because I have been receiving death threats," Broadbelt continued. "My name at present, licensed through Births, Deaths and Marriages, is Harrison O'Connor."

Police have apparently visited Broadbelt in Timboon and, although "I am not wanted on any charges", he says, "I have basically been run out of town".

"I have to wait for the bankruptcy to clear and hopefully people will let me move on with my life and I will get a job in retail or something," he said.

According to Broadbelt, police are now investigating the true origin of Tuesday's release.