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Tobias Moran: Arrest warrants issued by Australian police for German duo over murder of tourist Simone Strobel

Daryna Zadvirna, Hamish Spence and Anton NilssonThe West Australian
Two people, who police believe helped cover up the alleged murder of German backpacker Simone Strobel by her ex-partner and Perth father Tobias Moran, are wanted in Germany.
Camera IconTwo people, who police believe helped cover up the alleged murder of German backpacker Simone Strobel by her ex-partner and Perth father Tobias Moran, are wanted in Germany. Credit: The West Australian

Two people in Germany, who police believe helped cover up the alleged murder of German backpacker Simone Strobel by her ex-partner and Perth father Tobias Moran, are wanted by Australian authorities.

NSW police made the revelation as Mr Moran was set to appear at Sydney’s Downing Centre Local Court on Thursday over the 2005 murder after he was extradited from WA on Wednesday.

Superintendent Scott Tanner, the commander of the Richmond police district, said NSW Police were working with German authorities on arresting the two people and has urged them to hand themselves in.

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“Clearly those two people know who they are,” he said.

“They have been persons of interest from the beginning.

“It would be in their best interests to contact German authorities.”

Once arrest warrants are extended to Germany, the pair could be set to face accessory for murder and perverting the course of justice charges, according to Supt Tanner.

Mr Moran, who changed his name from Suckfuell, did not appear in court on Thursday, however his legal representative asked the Magistrate to allow his bail application to be heard in Sydney instead of Lismore. The hearing was adjourned until August 3.

Mr Moran was arrested by WA’s homicide detectives at his million-dollar home in City Beach earlier this week and flown to Sydney on an extradition warrant from NSW police.

The shocking twist comes nearly two decades after Ms Strobel’s naked body was discovered on NSW’s far north coast.

She was covered in palm fronds 90m from the Lismore caravan park, where the couple had been staying with Mr Moran’s sister Katrin Suckfuell and friend Jens Martin.

The 25-year-old kindergarten teacher was believed to have been suffocated with a pillow or plastic bag.

Both Mr Moran and his sister refused to testify at a 2007 Coronial inquest into Ms Strobel’s murder, while their travelling companion, Jens Martin, returned to give evidence.

The inquest heard he initially lied to police lied to Lismore police about what happened at Mr Moran’s request.

“I don’t know who killed Simone,” he told the inquest.

“It’s possible Tobias may have had something to do with it”

Tobias Moran has been charged with the murder of his girlfriend Simone Strobel.
Camera IconTobias Moran has been charged with the murder of his girlfriend Simone Strobel. Credit: News Regional Media

At the time, the State coroner ruled there was insufficient evidence to lay charges over her death at the time.

Supt Tanner. said there have been substantial advancements in DNA technology since the start of their investigation.

“DNA will certainly play a part in this investigation,” he said.

Mr Moran, a German national, led a seemingly carefree life in Perth with his wealthy wife Samantha before his arrest. He took her surname after the pair married in 2012 in Germany.

It is understood the pair first met in South Africa while Mr Moran was enjoying a carefree nomadic life, surfing the world’s top beaches and later moved back to Perth.

The West Australian understands Mr Moran will make a request to return to Perth during his bail application, to be with his heavily pregnant wife.

Mrs Moran, a lawyer, yoga instructor and children’s book author, declined to comment on her husband’s shocking arrest when approached by The West Australian on Wednesday.

The couple’s neighbours said they were “good friends” with the Moran family but also remained tight lipped about the arrest.

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