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01 Lies in Lismore | The backpackers

Unravel

32m
Transcript

Original podcast

Summary

Written by a model from the transcript; not yet reviewed.

This episode explores the 2005 disappearance and murder of 25-year-old German backpacker Simone Strobel in Lismore, New South Wales. Journalist Richard Baker retraces the investigation, beginning with police interviews of her boyfriend Tobias Sukful, his sister Katrin, and their friend Jens, who claimed Simone walked away from their caravan park campsite following an argument. Local journalist Kath Adams and former mayor Jenny Dow describe the profound shock that rippled through the regional town, where residents initially rallied around the grieving travellers, raised funds to send Tobias home, and erected memorials. However, as the episode concludes, it emerges that all three backpackers had lied to the police, setting the stage for a darker unfolding mystery that remains unsolved 21 years later.

  • Simone Strobel and her boyfriend Tobias had been travelling the east coast of Australia for six months before arriving in Lismore. 1:42
  • Local journalist Kath Adams recalled that the missing backpacker's group was staying at a caravan park prone to flooding. 9:17
  • Simone's body was discovered on the grounds of a disused bocce club less than 100 metres from where the group was camping. 22:50
  • The local community of Lismore rallied together to raise funds to help Tobias and cover the costs of getting Simone's body home. 29:14

Chapters

  1. 0:01
    Podcast Intro and Host Overview

    The hosts introduce the podcast and outline the focus on high-profile trials.

  2. 0:49
    Interview Setup and Tobias’s Background

    Detective Campbell begins an interview with Tobias Sukful, a German backpacker missing in Lismore.

  3. 2:25
    Simone Strobel’s Disappearance Narrative

    Tobias recounts the events leading up to Simone’s disappearance, including an argument with his sister.

  4. 12:50
    Police Investigation and Media Response

    Law enforcement and local media react to Simone’s missing status, with early searches and newspaper coverage.

  5. 22:48
    Discovery of Simone’s Body and Community Impact

    Simone’s body is found at a bocce club, sparking shock and prompting community support for the backpackers.

  6. 30:11
    Revelation of Deception and Upcoming Episodes

    It is revealed that the backpackers lied to police, setting the stage for the next episode.

Highlights

  • 1:04

    Initial Police Interviewstory

    Tobias Sukful tells police his version of events in an audio-recorded interview, stating his girlfriend Simone walked away from their campsite after an argument.

  • 10:11

    Local Media Reactioninsight

    Local journalist Kath Adams describes how the newsroom initially doubted a backpacker could go missing in a small town like Lismore.

  • 12:18

    Hostile Encounter at Campstory

    When local journalists approached Tobias and his sister Katrin at their caravan park van, Katrin told them to fuck off.

  • 22:50

    Discovery of the Bodydata

    Police discover Simone's body hidden under palm fronds in a fenced-off area of a local bocce club after bringing in a police dog.

  • 24:35

    Kindergarten Cops Headlinestory

    An angry Tobias calls the local newspaper to criticize the police investigation, resulting in a headline where he refers to officers as kindergarten cops.

  • 29:14

    Community Fundraising Effortstory

    Former mayor Jenny Dow and a travel agent start a fundraiser for Tobias, with local children and residents donating pocket money and their last dollars.

Quotes

  • “The case always stuck with me because of how tragic that was, that she probably set off with such hope for the future, but she never made it home.”
    Unnamed speaker · 5:34
  • “Police couldn’t see any obvious cause of death, but they were pretty sure this was no accident because she’d been found naked, her body covered with palm fronds.”
    Unnamed speaker · 23:36
  • “The whole of Lismore started to rally behind these travellers. Prominent people in town felt they had to do something to help and to honour this young woman who’d lost her life in the centre of their town.”
    Unnamed speaker · 25:14
  • Unravel True Crime 31:14–31:24

About this episode

On a dream trip to Australia, Simone disappears. Her boyfriend Tobias reports her missing, and the search begins. Six days later Simone Strobel's body is found under palm fronds just a short distance away. It's clear her death is no accident and her boyfriend, Tobias Suckfuell, is questioned by police. It's been more than 20 years, and still no one has been found responsible for Simone's murder. Investigative journalist Richard Baker wants to know why. Richard attempts to unravel the truth about what happened to Simone in Lismore that night in 2005, amongst a tangle of decades-old lies. Credits Host and reporter: Richard BakerProducer and fact checker: Romy SherSupervising producer: Alicia BridgesSpecial thanks: Chiara Holzhaeuser; Joanne Shoebridge and everyone at ABC North CoastAdditional reporting: Cath AdamsTheme composition and additional music: Martin Peralta and Ashley CadellSound design: Tim SymondsExecutive Producers: Tim Roxburgh, Eric GeorgeHead of Audio on Demand: Jessica Radburn

Transcript

0:00
32:00

4,711 words · 8 speakers

Topics

  • Lismore
  • Australia
  • ABC
  • Nimbun
  • ABC Listen
  • Golan Hotel
  • New South Wales
  • The Northern Star
  • Lismore Tourist Caravan Park
  • Byron Bay

Page updated · transcript and summary are machine-generated