LISMORE, Australia — The family of Simone Strobel, a young woman whose life was tragically cut short during a holiday two decades ago, expressed disappointment following the findings of a second coronial inquest into her death. The body of the 25-year-old was discovered beneath palm fronds at a bocce court in Lismore six days after she went missing on February 11, 2005. Initially reported missing while staying at a nearby caravan park, the circumstances surrounding her disappearance have remained shrouded in mystery.
State Coroner Teresa O’Sullivan delivered her findings on Thursday, concluding that Strobel was the victim of homicide, yet stating the identity of her killer remains unknown. In a notable shift from a previous inquest in 2007, O’Sullivan rejected any implication that Tobias Moran, Strobel’s then-boyfriend, was involved in her death.
Christina Strobel, Simone’s sister, voiced the family’s frustrations, stating they had hoped to gather crucial information that could shed light on their sister’s death. “Sadly, this inquest brought us no closer to understanding the circumstances of why and how Simone died,” she remarked. Describing the lack of testimony from key witnesses as surprising, she highlighted that crucial voices were absent from the proceedings.
While Jens Martin testified in the first inquest, Tobias Moran and his sister, Katrin Suckfuell, were not compelled to testify at either inquest. Both had provided statements to police at the time, and Moran had made submissions during the latest inquiry. O’Sullivan explained that the absence of live testimony was due to existing evidence being deemed sufficient and that additional testimonies could skew recollections.
The initial inquest, led by Coroner Paul MacMahon in 2007, found insufficient evidence to prosecute anyone, although he noted a “very strong suspicion” surrounding Moran and Suckfuell. However, O’Sullivan stated that findings from 2007 did not align with current insights and evidence, leading her to reach different conclusions.
Since the 2007 hearing, legislative changes have also altered how coroners may speak about potential culpability. O’Sullivan noted that although her findings differed from MacMahon’s, she did not believe she could claim definitively what Moran’s involvement might have been.
In a significant twist, charges were brought against Moran in 2022, but prosecutors withdrew them in June 2023. O’Sullivan reiterated that she could not confidently state whether Moran acted alone or with assistance, further complicating the narrative around Strobel’s untimely death.
Evidence uncovered during the inquest suggested a potential sexual motive behind the crime, a detail previously ruled out by the first investigation. This new perspective challenges assumptions made in earlier inquiries, and further scrutiny is expected.
O’Sullivan also recommended that the case be transferred to the New South Wales Unsolved Homicide Team. She emphasized the need to examine crucial DNA evidence, specifically a sample linked to an unidentified male found on Strobel’s clothing, as well as additional hair samples discovered near her body.
The Strobel family acknowledged the efforts of law enforcement in both Australia and Germany but expressed an unwavering hope for clarity regarding Simone’s fate. They believe that the truth about what happened to her could eventually come to light, fostering a sense of closure that has eluded them for years.