ABOVE: The murder of Simone Strobel was one of those case that impacted the community
The murder of German backpacker Simone Strobel in 2005 was felt by the community of Lismore and beyond.
At the time suspicion fell on Ms Strobel’s boyfriend Tobias Suckfuell.
Tobias Friedrich Moran, formerly known as Tobias Suckfuell, 42, was arrested at his home in Western Australia following an extensive investigation into the homicide of Ms Strobel 17 years ago.
Simone was aged 25 and was last seen at the Lismore Tourist Caravan Park on Friday February 11, 2005, after a night out with her then-boyfriend and friends.
Her body was found six days later concealed under palm fronds at a sportsground less than 100 metres from the caravan park.
At a coronial inquest in 2007, then-State Coroner Paul McMahon ruled there was insufficient evidence to lay charges over Simone’s death.
Detectives from Richmond Police District investigated the murder with assistance from the State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad and their counterparts at the Wuerzburg Criminal Police in Germany.
In October 2020, the State Government announced a $1 million reward for information which led to the arrest of those responsible for Simone’s homicide.
The Bavarian Office of Criminal Investigation had also announced a 10,000 Euro reward for residents of both Germany and Australia back in 2014.
Following extensive inquiries, strike force detectives travelled to Western Australia where they arrested a suspect.
NSW detectives will apply for an extradition warrant.
Watch the video of the arrest.
