BACKPACKER MURDER: Suspects Escape Extradition Over Simone Strobel’s Killing
Two suspects wanted in Australia over the killing of backpacker Simone Strobel will not be extradited, it has emerged.
The pair are said to have helped the prime suspect Tobias Suckfuell, 42, conceal Simone’s body after she was strangled to death in 2005.
Surfer Suckerfuell has been released on bail in Australia accused of murdering his then girlfriend and dumping her body.
Additional arrest warrants have been issued for two people who were travelling with the victim and her boyfriend, reportedly for aiding and abetting murder and for obstruction of justice.
The pair – who have not been named under strict German privacy laws – are now 46 and 43 and living in Bavaria.
They will not face extradition to Australia, according to German media reports.
The Federal Office of Justice in Bonn has reportedly confirmed that German law prohibits them from being extradited.
But when Suckfuell, 42 – now known as Tobias Friedrich Moran – was in Australia he was accompanied by his sister Katrin Suckfuell and their friend Jens Martin.
Suckfuell was arrested last month after New South Wales police issued a warrant for him.
The murder of Strobel – 25 when she died in 2005 – has never been solved, despite police offering a AUD 1 million reward in 2020.
Her naked body was found on 17th February 2005 by a police dog unit from less than 100 metres from the Lismore Tourist Caravan Park where she had vanished from six days earlier.
Strobel’s body was found covered in palm fronds.
Suckfuell was released on bail on Friday, 5th August, but he must report to a police station three times a week and surrender his passport, according to Australian media.
He has been charged with murder and with attempting to pervert the course of justice.
Australian media reports say that investigators there are still in touch with their colleagues in Germany about the two other suspects.
German investigators are reportedly surprised at the new developments in Australia as they themselves had no new evidence.
German media has reported that the German authorities do not know what new evidence the Australians have and that there is no formal cooperation over the investigation with Australia at this time.
