German backpacker was allegedly suffocated to death by boyfriend, court hears – Michmutters
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German backpacker was allegedly suffocated to death by boyfriend, court hears

slain German backpacker Simone Stroble’s boyfriend allegedly suffocated her to death and told police several lies about the nature of their relationship, a sydney court has been told.
Magistrate Margaret Quinn in the Downing Local Court on Wednesday reserved her decision about whether to grant Tobias Friedrich Moran bail.

Prosecutor Kim Gourlie opposed bail saying the circumstantial case was potentially strong, and that new witness statements had been obtained from people in Germany about their relationship.

German backpacker Simone Strobel was found dead in Lismore in 2005.
German backpacker Simone Strobel was found dead in Lismore in 2005. (Supplied)

Gourlie said Moran lied to police about events surrounding Strobel’s death, alcohol drunk, the clothing she was wearing and the “nature of their relationship.”

Defense lawyer Tim Game SC submitted the crown case was fundamentally flawed based on theories and ideas.

Police allege Moran suffocated or smothered his girlfriend in a camper van in Lismore and disposed of her body nearby.

“There is no direct or indirect evidence that Mr Moran assaulted her in the van,” Game said.

Tobias Moran Simone Strobel
Moran was charged with murder and extradited to NSW. (9News)

And it would be an “insane thing for a person to do,” to dump the body 100 meters away from where he is accused of murdering her, before booking back into the campsite with two alleged accomplices on the same day.

“This statement of facts is not a reliable document. It’s a theory.”

His client had volunteered DNA in recent times, and there was nothing to suggest it incriminated him.

“New DNA from 2019 … shows on the black top found on the street there is DNA from another person, an unknown male.”

He said there was no explanation why Moran was suddenly arrested early one morning in Perth 17 years after the woman was killed.

Tobias Moran, formerly known as Tobias Suckfuell, has been extradited from Perth to Sydney on Wednesday, July 27. He is an ex-boyfriend of a German backpacker Simone Strobel.
Moran’s lawyers fronted court today during the bail application. (9News)

The magistrate was told the criminal trial was particularly complex to prepare for, with more than 300 witness statements.

Moran had been traveling around Australia with the 25-year-old school teacher before she was reported missing.

According to court documents, Moran made false statements to police and withheld relevant information about her disappearance.

But Moran had been living “in plain sight” of the German authorities who did their own extensive investigation and then in Perth with his wife and family, Game said.

The man formerly known as Tobias Suckfuel altered his surname following his marriage, and was not trying to be “sneaky” as police claimed, he said.

The officer in charge of the investigation “has an adverse view of him and has had for many years.”

Police told an inquest in 2007 they believed Strobel was murdered by Moran, who refused to return to Australia to give evidence at the inquest.

Tobias Moran Simone Strobel
Strobel and Moran had been traveling around Australia together in 2005. (9News)

Gourlie said he had not willingly co-operated with investigating officers and only did when compelled.

Police last week confirmed they were communicating with German authorities about two arrest warrants for suspects who had been “persons of interest from the very beginning”.

Moran’s sister Katrin Suckfuel and friend Jens Martin were also traveling with the pair.

His wife has offered $200,000 in security to relieve her husband of the “inhumane conditions” he has been subject to in custody, the court was told.

Moran watched his bail application via video link from custody and will learn at midday on Thursday whether he will be released.

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