The former boyfriend of murdered German backpacker Simone Strobel has been arrested by homicide detectives in Western Australia and is scheduled to be extradited to New South Wales.
Tobias Friedrich Moran, formerly known as Tobias Suckfuel, had been traveling around Australia with Ms Strobel when her body was found under palm fronds less than 100 meters from the Lismore caravan park where she was last seen on 2005
The 25-year-old school teacher had been suffocated with a pillow or a plastic bag.
Simone Strobel’s body was found dumped under palm fronds after a night out in Lismore with her then-boyfriend and friends in 2005. (Supplied)
Ms Strobel’s murder remains unsolved despite the establishment of a strike force and the NSW Government offering a $1 million reward in 2020.
But today, it emerged Moran had been arrested in connection with the case after NSW Police issued a warrant.
The 42-year-old man faced Perth Magistrates Court from custody regarding an extradition request.
Lismore residents at a makeshift memorial for murdered woman Simone in February 2005 (SMH)
Magistrate Sandra De Maio said she would grant the order and told Moran he would be released into police custody until he faces a NSW court.
Moran is expected to be transported to Sydney on Wednesday before facing Sydney’s Downing Center Local Court the following day.
NSW Police have yet to formally reveal the nature of their charges, but confirmed the man’s arrest, saying more information would be provided when it became available.
“Investigators from Strike Force Howea are continuing to work with their international counterparts, and inquiries are ongoing,” police said in a statement.
Moran’s lawyer, Tony Elliott, said his client had no previous convictions and was not aware of any other charges or bail proceedings.
Police have previously said they believe Strobel was killed by Moran, who refused to return to Australia to give evidence at their inquest.
Moran is expected to be transported to Sydney on Wednesday before facing Sydney’s Downing Center Local Court the following day. (NSW Police)
In 2007, Assistant NSW Coroner Paul McMahon found there was insufficient evidence to recommend charges, but said he had a “very strong suspicion” that Moran, then known as Suckfuell, was involved in the murder.
Strobel had spent the night with Moran and friends when she was last seen at Lismore Tourist Caravan Park on February 11, 2005.
His body was found six days later, in a sports field less than 100 meters from the caravan park.
German authorities also offered a €10,000 reward in 2014 to German and Australian residents with any information about Ms Strobel’s death.