INTRODUCING — Lies in Lismore

Simone Strobel was 25 and travelling in Australia when she disappeared from a Lismore caravan park. Six days later, her body was found hidden under palm fronds. Ever since, questions have followed her boyfriend, Tobias Suckfuell, who's always insisted that he's innocent. But the truth is difficult to find when lies are layered upon lies. Now there are new twists in the story, and more potential suspects coming into focus. Has the truth been hiding in plain sight? Or did a killer escape without scrutiny? Acclaimed investigative journalist Richard Baker investigates. Credits Host and reporter: Richard BakerProducer and fact checker: Romy SherSupervising producer: Alicia BridgesSpecial thanks to: Chiara Holzhaeuser; Joanne Shoebridge and everyone at ABC North CoastTheme composition and additional music: Martin Peralta and Ashley CadellSound design: Tim SymondsExecutive Producers: Tim Roxburgh, Eric GeorgeHead of Audio on Demand: Jessica RadburnAdditional reporting: Cath Adams

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  ABC Listen, podcasts, radio, news, music and more.

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  A heads up before we start. This podcast contains some strong language.

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  Two German backpackers are on the trip of a lifetime, driving a small camper van down the Australian coast. They're in awe of the stunning beaches and wildlife, and making friends everywhere they go, when suddenly, one of them goes missing in a country town.

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  We were a little bit incredulous. Like, how can somebody go missing in the Lismore CBD?

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  I remember that the whole town was in shock.

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  That front page had the headline, "Where's Simone?"

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  Simone Strobel disappeared from the Lismore Caravan Park on the 11th of February 2005. She was a kindergarten teacher, a music lover, and she was just 25 years old. Six days later, her body was found. She'd been killed.

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  Community members will gather in Lismore tonight to remember Simone Strobel.

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  It was sort of the biggest story of the year, or even of the decade. From the start, questions follow her boyfriend.

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  Do you know what happened to Simone?

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  Have you harmed Simone?

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  I have nothing to tell you. I told you the truth. I told that 10 times today.

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  Even today, all these years later, police still haven't solved the case. And I want to know why.

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  I'm Richard Baker. I'm an investigative journalist. And for more than a year now, I've been looking into this case. Because decades on, there are still new twists in the story. Yeah, that sounds really dodgy. All we felt was anger. That was absolute bullshit. What else have you not told us about this matter? You're supposed to tell the truth. But the truth can be hard to find when lies are layered upon lies. Just because someone's lying doesn't make them a murderer. Did you kill Simone Strobel?

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  No, never. Why should I kill my girlfriend? What is that for a fucking question?

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  Has the truth been hiding in plain sight? Or did a killer escape without scrutiny?

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  I thought this is nonsense. I was furious. We were so angry. The police didn't like that at all.

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  From Unravel comes Lies in Lismore.

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  If you lie about one thing, you may lie about other things.

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  All episodes drop on September 9.

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  To have something like that happen in the heart of Lismore, it's one of those moments that really changes a place.