Police sent undercover officers to extract a confession from backpacker Simone Strobel’s ex-boyfriend, but the lead detective on the case believes the then-murder suspect was “connected” to their efforts.
Ms Strobel’s naked body was found hidden under palm fronds on a sports field in Lismore, in the northern rivers region of New South Wales, in February 2005, six days after she was reported missing.
Her then-boyfriend Tobias Moran, who now lives in Western Australia, was charged with murder in 2022. But prosecutors chose not to proceed and the case was dismissed and ordered to pay $190,000 compensation.
Detective Sergeant David Mackie told an inquest into Strobel’s death on Wednesday that he believed Moran knew police were probably secretly recording him.
After a $1 million reward was offered for information in 2020, an undercover officer called ‘Sophie’ contacted Moran to offer an alibi, the New South Wales Coroner’s Court was told.
She told Mr. Moran that her brother had cancer and was only given two months to live, and that she wanted to confess to the murder so her family would get the reward money.
But Moran told him the plan would not bring peace to Strobel’s family and would leave those responsible still at large, the inquest heard.
“That wouldn’t be of any help to me,” he said in the recorded conversation.
The body of Simone Strobel (pictured with Moran) was found hidden under palm fronds on a sports field in Lismore, in the northern rivers region of New South Wales, in February 2005.
Ms. Strobel’s body was found six days after she was reported missing (both are pictured)
On the night of her disappearance, Ms Strobel’s group drank heavily at a hotel and continued to consume alcohol and smoke cannabis after returning to their campsite (pictured).
“That wouldn’t solve the case.”
Detective Sergeant Mackie said he believed Mr Moran “realised very quickly” of the deception.
“Several covert operations have been carried out,” he said.
“In some of those recordings it was quite obvious that Mr Moran was very aware that conversations were likely to be recorded.”
The inquiry which listened to earlier secret recordings of conversations between Moran and his wife Samantha did not produce any admissions.
Efforts involving two undercover agents posing as convicts and speaking to Moran after his arrest were also unsuccessful, the court was told.
At the time of his death, Strobel had been touring the east coast of Australia with Moran, his sister Katrin Suckfuell and another German, Jens Martin.
At the time of his death, Strobel (pictured) was touring the east coast of Australia with Moran, his sister Katrin Suckfuell and another German, Jens Martin.
Moran is seen during a police interrogation in February 2005.
Detective Sergeant Mackie said earlier in the inquest that in his opinion it was “likely” Mr Moran killed Ms Strobel and he also believed Ms Suckfuell and Mr Martin helped dispose of her body.
On the night of the disappearance, Ms Strobel’s group drank heavily at a hotel and continued to consume alcohol and smoke cannabis after returning to their campsite, the court was previously told.
The group told police that Ms. Strobel left their camp after becoming angry with Mr. Moran.
“All three said Simone left the caravan park and was never seen again,” counsel assisting Philip Strickland SC said.
The group later lied to police about their drug use and how much they had drunk that night, as well as about the depth of the dispute between Strobel and Moran, Strickland said.
The investigation continues.
