Murder of Simone Strobel
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Simone Strobel | |
|---|---|
| Died | 11-12 February 2005 Lismore, New South Wales, Australia |
| Occupation | Kindergarten teacher |
| Known for | Murder victim |
Simone Monika Strobel (c.1980 – c.11/12 February 2005) was a 25-year-old German kindergarten teacher and backpacker whose body was found at a sportsground in Lismore, New South Wales, six days after being reported missing from the caravan park where she had been staying. An initial inquest in 2007 found insufficient evidence to lay charges over her death.[1]
Prior to her murder, Strobel - a German national from Würzburg, Bavaria - had been backpacking through Australia with her boyfriend, Tobias Suckfuell, Suckfuell's sister, Katrin, and their friend, Jens Martin. On 11 February 2005, the group checked in to the Lismore Tourist Caravan Park. That evening, they spent the night drinking at the Gollan Hotel, before being ejected at 11:10pm by the bar manager. The group returned to the caravan park to continue their evening.[2]
The following morning at about 10:00am, Suckfuell and Martin reported Strobel missing at the Lismore Police Station, telling the police that she had left the campsite during the night after an argument had broken out between the Suckfuell siblings.[3] The police subsequently put out a public appeal for information and carried out an extensive search.
Strobel's nude body was discovered on 17 February 2005 by the NSW Dog Unit on a bocce court less than 100 metres from the campsite where she had disappeared, covered by palm fronds. Her cause of death is unconfirmed. A second coronial inquest was held between 11–15 November 2024, and formal findings were delivered on 6 November 2025. The NSW State Coroner concluded "I am unable to find, as Coroner MacMahon did, that the most likely cause of death was suffocation or smothering asphyxia. I accept the submissions that no cause of death can be determined on the available evidence". The Coroner concluded that "Simone Simone died in the vicinity of the Continental Music, Sports and Recreation Club in Lismore, New South Wales, Australia". This overturned the previous Coroner's decision who concluded Simone had died within the vicinity of the Caravan Park. The Coroner also concluded that it was unlikely that Katrin, Jens and Tobias were involved in Simone's death, but would not exclude them entirely stating, "I do not, however, accept that the evidence before me supports a finding by me that it is very unlikely Mr Moran was involved in Simone's death." [paragraph 250 of the Coroner's Findings on 6 November 2025 - Coroners Court Lidcombe]. The Coroner however did conclude that Simone's killer/s likely had a sexual motive, stating "Combining the fact that Simone was found naked with the circumstantial evidence regarding violent crime in the area where her body was found, together with the expert pathological evidence that cannot rule out sexual assault, I accept the submissions that it is likely Simone’s killer had a sexual motive. I also accept, on balance, that it is probable her clothes were removed for a sexual motive before her body was pushed through the wire fence and concealed under palm fronds." [paragraph 242 of the Coroner's Findings on 6 November 2025 - Coroners Court Lidcombe].
Investigation
On 14 February 2005, three days before Simone's body had been found, Detective Sergeant Diehm commenced Strike Force HOWEA, to investigate her disappearance. Following the discovery of Strobel's body on 17 February 2005, the Richmond Police District, sought the assistance from the Würzburg Criminal Police, and the Würzburg Prosecutor's Office to investigate her murder.
A coronial inquest into Strobel's death was held in 2007, with State Coroner Paul McMahon presiding. Upon legal advice, both Tobias and Katrin Suckfuell declined to testify, while Jens Martin returned to Australia to give evidence. Ultimately, McMahon ruled that there was insufficient evidence to lay charges for the murder.[1]
In 2014, Detective Sergeant Shane Diehm pleaded guilty to a number of charges including lying to the Police Integrity Commission and drug taking,[4] and was removed from the NSW Police force. Detective Sergeant David Mackie took over as lead of Strike force HOWEA.
In 2014, the Bavarian Office of Criminal Investigation announced a €10,000 reward for information leading to an arrest or conviction. In addition, on 15 October 2020, the New South Wales Government and police announced a $1 million reward.
A second coronial inquest was held between 11–15 November 2024, and formal findings were delivered on 6 November 2025. The Coroner concluded that Simone's killer/s likely had a sexual motive, stating "Combining the fact that Simone was found naked with the circumstantial evidence regarding violent crime in the area where her body was found, together with the expert pathological evidence that cannot rule out sexual assault, I accept the submissions that it is likely Simone’s killer had a sexual motive. I also accept, on balance, that it is probable her clothes were removed for a sexual motive before her body was pushed through the wire fence and concealed under palm fronds." [paragraph 242 of the Coroner's Findings on 6 November 2025 - Coroners Court Lidcombe]. The Coroner has referred the case back to the Unsolved Homicide Team for assessment monitoring and further investigation (paragraph 310 of Coroner's findings).
