Simone Strobel: Man charged with backpacker murder at Lismore

Two German nationals have been issued with arrest warrants in connection with the murder of backpacker Simone Strobel more than 15 years ago at Lismore. Read the latest.

Authorities have confirmed that initial persons of interest in the murder of Simone Strobel have been issued with arrest warrants in Germany.

Acting Premier and Minister Police Paul Toole and Richmond Police District Superintendent Scott Tanner said co-operation with their German counterparts will locate the persons and a possible extradition will commence.

“The two persons subject to the arrest warrants in Germany have been persons of interest since the beginning and we believe they have information that will assist with the investigation,” Supt. Tanner said.

“We believe there is enough evidence to lay charges of accessory after the fact to murder and also pervert the course of justice.”

Richmond Police District Superintendent Scott Tanner with acting NSW Premier and Minister Police Paul Toole at Southern Cross University addressing media over the arrest, extradition and charging of a man connected to the death of Simone Strobel. Picture: Cath Piltz

Mr Toole praised the efforts of Richmond Detective sergeant David Mackie who has been on the case since the beginning and wants to see some closure.

“This murder has shocked the community,” Mr Toole said.

“This murder is something the community has been following and wanting answers to for a many number of years.”

Richmond Police worked closely with the State homicide squad, NSW Police, Western Australian Police and their counterparts in Germany to make the arrest.

“We are a step closer to having answers for the community, the family and friends of Simone Strobel,” Mr Toole said.

Superintendent Tanner said evidence gathered over the entire duration to date had been presented to the Department of Public Prosecutions who found it sufficient to present the charge of murder to the court.

“It’s compiling a brief of evidence to a sufficient standard to be able to put a charge of murder before the court,” Supt. Tanner said.

“It’s a combination of all the evidence that was obtained at the time of the murder and all the investigations that the detectives have undertaken over the last 17 years.”

Sup. Tanner said the Strobel family are still distressed over the loss of their daughter, yet they have a sense of relief over the new development.

“German authorities have worked hand in glove with NSW Police since the day of this murder.

“There have been a number of investigations conducted in Germany and a combination of all their evidence is currently before the court.

“Police believe there are other people who have knowledge of this murder and appeal for them to come forward and give their information to Police,” Supt. Tanner said.

“We are in the process of talking to German authorities in regard to two arrest warrants for two persons currently living in Germany.”

The 2020 reward of $1 million was not linked to this new breakthrough.

“The $1 million reward is still in play for anyone that brings information to the police that leads to the successful conviction of any person connected to the murder,” Supt. Tanner said.

During the coronial inquests, where insufficient evidence had been a major setback, Supt. Tanner said that Richmond detectives and Strike Force Howea persisted to enable a standard of evidence that police are confident in presenting their case of murder to the court.

Richmond Police District Superintendent Scott Tanner at Southern Cross University addressing media over the arrest, extradition and charging of a man connected to the death of Simone Strobel. Picture: Cath Piltz

Police allege that during the course of the investigation the accused has provided certain evidence to certain forums as to what has allegedly occurred.

“We believe information was provided with the intent to pervert the course of our investigations and obviously pervert the course of justice.”

Earlier

On Wednesday, July 27

The long crusade to find out what happened to a German backpacker killed at Lismore more than 15 years ago has taken a dramatic turn – as a man has been charged with her murder.

The man has been extradited from Western Australia and charged with murder following an investigation into the killing of Simone Strobel, at Lismore.

Ms Strobel, 25, was last seen at the Lismore Tourist Caravan Park on 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 100m from the caravan park.

A man has been extradited from Western Australia and charged with murder following an investigation into the homicide of German backpacker Simone Strobel.

At a coronial inquest in 2007, then state coroner Paul McMahon ruled there was insufficient evidence to lay charges over her death.

Local detectives from Richmond Police District established Strike Force Howea in February 2005 to investigate her murder.

They were assisted by the State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad, and their counterparts at the Wuerzburg Criminal Police and the Prosecutor´s Office in Wuerzburg, Germany.

In October 2020, the NSW Government announced a $1m reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for Ms Strobel’s death.

A man has been extradited from Western Australia and charged with murder following an investigation into the homicide of German backpacker Simone Strobel.

The Bavarian Office of Criminal Investigation weighed in with a 10,000 Euro reward for residents of both Germany and Australia in 2014.

On Tuesday, Strike force detectives travelled to Western Australia, where – with assistance from Western Australian Police Force – a 42-year-old man was arrested at a home in Perth.

Dramatic developments as police arrest a man after an investigation stretching back more than 15 years.

He was taken to the Magistrates Court of Western Australia where detectives applied for, and were granted, his extradition to NSW.

Strike force investigators escorted the man on a flight, which landed at Sydney Domestic Airport at about 5.10pm on Wednesday, July 27.

The accused with police.

The accused was taken to Mascot Police Station and charged with murder and do act with intent to pervert the course of justice.

He was refused bail to appear at Downing Centre Local Court on Thursday, July 28.

Strike Force Howea investigators are continuing to work with their international counterparts, as investigations continue.

Anyone with information that may assist Strike Force Howea detectives is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333-000 or nsw.crimestoppers.com.au.