A man accused of murdering German backpacker Simone Strobel on Australia’s NSW North Coast in 2005 has had his charges dropped.
Tobias Moran was arrested and charged with the murder of his girlfriend and perverting the course of justice last year.
But on Wednesday, the NSW Director of Public Prosecutions said it had declined to certify charges of murder and attempting to pervert the course of justice in the case of Mr. Moran.
Mr. Moran stood silently beside his wife Samantha as she read a statement to media in Perth, saying her family was relieved by the NSW DPP’s decision to withdraw the charges.
“It was the right decision,” she said.
“The time since Toby’s arrest last year has been highly distressing and emotional for us.”
But she said they knew the impact it would have on the Strobel family.
“Our heartfelt condolences go out to Simone’s family, particularly Gabi and Gustl who continue to suffer terribly from the loss of their daughter Simone,” she said.
Ms. Strobel had been on a night out with Mr. Moran and friends and was last seen at Lismore Tourist Caravan Park on February 11, 2005.
The kindergarten teacher’s naked body was found six days later, concealed under palm fronds at a sports ground, less than 350 feet from the caravan park.
Mr. Moran, who was formerly known as Tobias Suckfuell, has vehemently denied any involvement in Ms. Strobel’s death.
The 43-year-old was arrested by police in Western Australia in July 2022, before being extradited to NSW.
He was bailed and allowed to return to his home in WA.
Ms. Moran said in the statement on Wednesday her husband still thought of Ms. Strobel.
“I am deeply ashamed that this happened to Simone in Australia. A visitor to our country who Toby has always described as an angel on earth.”
“I know that there is not a day that goes by that Toby does not think about Simone and wishes that he had stopped her from walking away that night.”
The major development comes more than 17 years after NSW and German police forces first began investigating Ms. Strobel’s death.
Police had offered a nearly $680,000 reward for information in 2020, with Bavarian police likewise offering 10,000 euros for both Australians and Germans.
At a coronial inquest in 2007, then-state coroner Paul McMahon ruled there was insufficient evidence to lay charges over Simone’s death.
NSW Police said Ms. Strobel’s family had been informed of the decision and detectives would continue to investigate her murder.
“As the investigation remains open, detectives from the Richmond Police District continue to appeal for anyone with information about Simone’s death to come forward,” the spokesperson said.
The Office of the DPP’s statement noted “the possibility of future coronial proceedings and makes no further comment.”
