The former partner of German backpacker Simone Strobel has been arrested by homicide detectives in Western Australia over her 2005 death and will be extradited to New South Wales.
Tobias Friedrich Moran, formerly known as Tobias Suckfuell, had been travelling around Australia with Strobel when her body was found near a Lismore caravan park in 2005.
The 25-year-old school teacher had been suffocated with a pillow or plastic bag, NSW police told a 2007 inquest into her death.
Strobel’s alleged murder has remained unsolved despite the establishment of a strike force and the NSW government offering a $1m reward in 2020.
On Tuesday, it emerged Moran, 42, had been arrested in connection with the case after a warrant was issued by NSW police.
He faced Perth magistrates court from custody in regards to an extradition application.
Magistrate Sandra De Maio said she would grant the order, telling Moran he would be released into the custody of police until he faced court in NSW.
Moran is expected to be flown to Sydney on Wednesday before facing Sydney’s Downing Centre local court on Thursday.
NSW police are yet to formally disclose the nature of any charges but confirmed the man’s arrest and said further information would be provided when available.
“Strike force Howea investigators are continuing to work with their international counterparts, with investigations continuing,” police said in a statement.
Moran’s lawyer, Tony Elliott, said his client had no previous known convictions and he was unaware of any other charges or bail proceedings.
Moran did not return to Australia to give evidence at Strobel’s inquest. Deputy NSW coroner Paul McMahon in 2007 found there was insufficient evidence to recommend charges.
Strobel had been on a night out with Moran and friends when she was last seen at the Lismore tourist caravan park on 11 February 2005.
Her naked body was found six days later concealed under palm fronds at a sports ground, less than 100 metres from the caravan park.
