Australian Coroner Urges New Investigation into 20-Year-Old Backpacker Homicide
An Australian coroner recommends further investigation into the 2005 homicide of German backpacker Simone Strobel in New South Wales, after charges against her boyfriend were dropped.
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Overview
- An Australian coroner has called for renewed investigation into the homicide of German backpacker Simone Strobel, whose death occurred in northern New South Wales two decades ago.
- Simone Strobel's death was ruled a homicide, but the coroner couldn't determine the cause or identify the responsible party, prompting calls for further investigation.
- Strobel's boyfriend was charged with murder in 2022, but charges were dropped, leaving the case unsolved and prompting calls for new inquiries.
- The coroner specifically recommended that the New South Wales Unsolved Homicide Team undertake further investigation, including conducting advanced DNA testing to uncover new evidence.
- Despite the ongoing mystery, the coroner rejected initial suspicions that Strobel's traveling group was involved in her death, narrowing the focus for future investigative efforts.
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Analysis
Center-leaning sources cover this story neutrally, focusing on factual reporting of the coroner's recommendations and findings. They present the complex conclusions regarding Tobias Moran's potential involvement and his subsequent reaction without editorializing, allowing the facts to speak for themselves. This approach ensures an unbiased account of the ongoing investigation.
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FAQ
Simone Strobel was a 25-year-old German kindergarten teacher and backpacker whose body was found in Lismore, New South Wales, Australia, in February 2005. She was last seen at a caravan park after a night out with her boyfriend and friends. Her body was discovered six days later, concealed under palm fronds at a nearby sportsground. The coroner ruled her death a homicide, but the cause and responsible party remain unknown.
Simone Strobel's boyfriend, Tobias Moran (formerly Suckfuell), was charged with her murder and perverting the course of justice in 2022. However, the charges were dropped the following year, with prosecutors providing no reasons for the decision.
The coroner recommended that the New South Wales Unsolved Homicide Team undertake further investigation, including advanced DNA testing, to uncover new evidence. The coroner also concluded that it was unlikely Simone's traveling group was involved, narrowing the focus for future inquiries.
No one has ever been charged or convicted in connection with Simone Strobel's murder. Despite multiple investigations and a second inquest, the case remains unsolved.
The investigation into Simone Strobel's murder is ongoing, with the NSW Government offering a $1 million reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction. The Bavarian Office of Criminal Investigation also offers a 10,000 Euro reward for information.
History
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