Moran was charged with murder and acting with intent to pervert the course of justice in July last year, but the case against him was withdrawn yesterday.
Moran has always denied involvement in Strobel’s death.
“The decision to drop the charges against Tobias M. (née S.) for the murder of our daughter leaves us with deep disappointment,” Gabi and Gustav Strobel, Simone’s parents, said.
“After 18 years, we don’t seem to be any closer to clearing up Simone’s death.”
The mother and father were scathing of Moran, hitting out at his claims that he spoke for the family.
“Tobias claims to speak for us in his press release, but he doesn’t,” they said.
“Tobias M. has not contacted us since 2009.
“While we are shocked and saddened by today’s announcement, we would like to thank the dedicated investigators in Australia and Germany who are working so hard to get justice for Simone.”
The charges against Moran were withdrawn after the NSW Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions declined to certify them when his matter was mentioned at Lismore Local Court on Wednesday.
“The ODPP notes the possibility of future coronial proceedings and makes no further comment,” a spokesperson said.
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A $1 million reward for information about Strobel’s murder was announced in 2020, 15 years after NSW police began working with German authorities on the investigation.
A €10,000 reward was announced by German authorities in 2014.
Both depend on a conviction.
A 2007 inquest found insufficient evidence to lay any criminal charges.
It found Strobel spent the previous two weeks travelling the east coast of Australia with Moran, then known as Tobias Suckfuell, with his sister and another person.
Police told the inquest they suspected Moran was involved in her death.
The trio reported Strobel missing after packing up the campsite the morning after she had walked away from the group as the two siblings fought over a family matter, they told police.
A second inquiry scheduled in February 2021 was postponed.
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