Boyfriend of murdered backpacker Simone Strobel sues NSW Police over arrest
The boyfriend of a German backpacker murdered in northern New South Wales 20 years ago is suing the NSW Police Force, alleging they maliciously targeted him rather than searching for the truth. Tobias Moran was charged with murder in 2022, but the charges were later dropped.
Tobias Moran, the boyfriend of a German backpacker murdered in northern New South Wales 20 years ago, is taking the NSW Police Force to court, alleging they maliciously targeted him rather than searching for the truth about her death.
Simone Strobel, 25, was found dead near a Lismore caravan park in February 2005, and Mr Moran was charged with her murder in 2022. He spent 10 days in custody and 10 months on bail before the charges were dropped.
In a statement, Mr Moran said: "This is an important step towards clearing my name and holding the relevant NSW police officers to account for what I believe was a prosecution driven by improper motives rather than a pursuit of the truth."
Mr Moran has always denied killing Ms Strobel. The State Coroner has previously found that while Mr Moran couldn't be ruled out as a suspect, it was unlikely he acted alone.
"It is unlikely that Mr [Jens] Martin and Ms [Katrin] Suckfuell were involved in Simone's death; and secondly, it is unlikely that Mr Moran could have acted alone in killing Simone and disposing of her body," the coroner said.
Mr Moran's lawyer, Stewart O'Connell, said his client had "consistently maintained his innocence of this horrific crime" and that there was never any convincing evidence of his involvement.
"He has had to endure both the shock and pain of Simone's death and the devastation and distress of being blamed, arrested and detained for it," Mr O'Connell said.
The civil case has been listed in the NSW District Court for January 27, 2027, and Mr Moran is seeking compensation. The NSW Police have declined to comment on the court action.
Ms Strobel disappeared from the Lismore Tourist Caravan Park on February 11, 2005, and her body was found six days later under palm fronds at a nearby bocce court.
In a separate interview earlier this year, Mr Moran said police had developed "tunnel vision" about him and that "crucial evidence has not been considered".
"They've been on the wrong track for 20 f***ing years … I think the Australian public has a right to know that this is a full Muppet show," he said.
The court has ordered the state of New South Wales to pay Mr Moran's legal costs of $190,000.