Huge update in unsolved murder of backpacker who was suffocated with bag & body dumped under palm leaves

COPS have made a massive development in the unsolved murder of German backpacker Simone Strobel.

Her former boyfriend Tobias Friedrich Moran, 42, once known as Tobias Suckfuell, has been arrested by homicide detectives in Western Australia.

Supplied

Simone’s body was found near a Lismore caravan park in 2005[/caption]

NSW/WA Police

Simone’s former boyfriend Tobias Friedrich Moran was arrested and will be extradited to NSW[/caption]

Simone, a kindergarten teacher, was 25 years old when she was suffocated with a pillow or plastic bag in in Lismore in New South Wales (NSW), Australia, in 2005.

Moran had been travelling with Simone around Australia before her body was found under fronds less than 100 metres away from the Lismore caravan park where she was last seen on February 11, 2005.

The pair had been on a night out together with friends.

Six days later, her body was found at a sports ground.

In a statement, NSW police confirmed Moran had been arrested but did not formally reveal the charges he faces.

They said: “Strike Force Howea investigators are continuing to work with their international counterparts, with investigations continuing.”

An extradition order was granted by Magistrate Sandra De Maio for Moran to be moved to New South Wales.

He is expected to be flown to Sydney on Wednesday and appear before Sydney Downing Centre Local Court the next day.

Moran’s lawyer Tony Elliott said his client has no previous convictions and he is unaware of any other charges.

Simone’s dad Gustl said the family were “totally surprised” by the update.

He told German media: “We cannot believe it.”

Deputy NSW Coroner Paul McMahon deemed the evidence found in 2007 unable to meet the threshold to recommend charges.

He did say he had a “very strong suspicion” Moran was somehow involved.

Moran had refused to return to Australia to give evidence at Simone’s inquest, raising concern among police.