Murder charges against Tobias Moran over death of Simone Strobel in Lismore dropped

Tobias Moran has released a statement through his wife after a charge of murdering his backpacker girlfriend Simone Strobel at Lismore more than 18 years ago was dropped.

Charges against Tobias Moran in relation to the death of his girlfriend Simone Strobel in Lismore in 2005 have been dropped.

Western Australia man Tobias Moran has released a statement through his wife after a charge of murdering his backpacker girlfriend Simone Strobel at Lismore in 2005 was dropped.

Mr Moran’s wife Samantha Moran spoke to the media in Perth – more than 18 years after Ms Strobel went missing and her body was found.

She said they were “relieved” charges had been dropped and pointed to “DNA evidence from the crime scene that will hopefully enable the identification of those responsible for (Ms Strobel’s) death”.

Tobias Moran appears alongside Samantha Moran after charges against him of murder and perverting athe course of justice were dropped. Picture: 9 News

Additionally, she hit out at the media and said there had been an “unfair” portrayal of Moran.

“He is a provider for his family, not a kept man living the life of luxury,” Mr Moran’s partner said.

“The perception of Toby in this manner is not only wrong, but it is unfair to Simone to see him portrayed as living a privileged life and having moved on from Simone.

“I know there is not a day that goes by that Toby does not think about Simone and wishes that he had stopped her from walking away that night.

“Toby continues to be traumatised by the loss of Simone as well as speculation surrounding him.”

Earlier on Wednesday, The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) flagged potential “future coronial proceedings” broadly in relation to Ms Strobel’s death.

Mr Moran, previously Tobias Suckfuell, was accused of taking 25-year-old Ms Strobel’s life and then perverting the course of justice.

German backpacker Simone Strobel was found murdered in Lismore in 2005.

Both charges have been withdrawn and dropped by the NSW Director of Public Prosecutions.

Prosecutors declined to certify charges and proceed in court on Wednesday.

In March, the 42-year-old’s defence team moved for charges to be dismissed after the prosecution was ordered to serve some 3000 pages of evidence.

The court later heard evidence was inaccessible, among other issues.

Tobias Suckfuell, now Tobias Moran, and his sister Katrin, were camping with his girlfriend Simone Strobel when she went missing in Lismore and was later found dead.

The defence told the court the case was circumstantial and there was not enough evidence for Mr Moran to be found guilty at trial.

Ms Strobel’s naked body was found concealed under palm fronds at Lismore Bocce Club, six days after she was seen at nearby Lismore Tourist Caravan Park on February 11, 2005.

It followed a night on the town with Mr Moran and friends.

Mr Moran speaks to The Northern Star in 2005.

However, Mr Moran has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing.

Mr Moran was under strict bail after he was charged last year, with a $250,000 surety.

He has also had to surrender passports and report to police three times each week.

The case has been adjourned to June 28 for a defence costs application.

A spokesman for the ODPP said: “The NSW Director of Public Prosecutions has declined to certify charges of murder and attempting to pervert the course of justice in the case of Tobias Moran.”

Simone Strobel was staying at the Lismore Tourist Caravan Park when she died.

“The ODPP notes the possibility of future coronial proceedings and makes no further comment.”

A Richmond Police District spokesman said: “Simone’s family has been advised of their (ODPP) decision.”

“As the investigation remains open, detectives from Richmond Police District continue to appeal for anyone with information about Simone’s death to come forward,” he said.

Mr Moran’s legal team declined to comment on the outcome.

Simone Strobel died in Lismore in 2005.

The case ended up back in court after Deputy NSW Coroner Paul MacMahon referred the case back to police during a 2007 inquest.

He concluded Ms Strobel died on or about February 12, 2005 – likely from suffocation or smothering asphyxia, “caused by the action of a person or persons unknown”.

Mr MacMahon found at the time there was not enough evidence to charge Mr Moran or his sister Katrin Suckfuell, who police alleged helped hide Ms Strobel’s body.