Episode notes
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.…
Podcast
Unravel
ABC Australia · True Crime · English
Lies in Lismore - the latest season of Unravel, the ABC’s award-winning investigative true crime podcast series. German backpacker Simone Strobel was on a dream trip to Australia in 2005 when she disappeared from a caravan park in Lismore. Six days later her body was found covered by palm fronds.
More from Unravel All episodes →
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S9 · E6 · 8 Sep 2026 · 42 min
06 Lies in Lismore | Strange decisions
Parts of the police investigation seem confusing, even bizarre. Looking into how the detective work unfolded leads journalist Richard Baker to raise questions about the decisions made during the Simone Strobel case. He examines a crime scene analysis, and a strange 'quid-pro-quo' arrangement between detectives and a writer. Editorial note: An earlier version of this episode said that the West Australian Supreme Court agreed with Tobias Moran that the Virginia Peters book implied he was guilty. What the judge actually said was that an imputation of guilt is arguably capable of being made. But…
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S9 · E5 · 8 Sep 2026 · 38 min
05 Lies in Lismore | Confessions
Multiple people are alleged to have confessed to murdering Simone, so why were they ruled out as suspects? Journalist Richard Baker hits the road to try to find them, and the people who heard their alleged confessions, to understand more. Credits Host and reporter: Richard Baker Producer and fact checker: Romy Sher Supervising producer: Alicia Bridges Special thanks: Chiara Holzhaeuser; Joanne Shoebridge and everyone at ABC North Coast Additional reporting: Cath Adams Theme composition and additional music: Martin Peralta and Ashley Cadell Sound design: Tim Symonds Executive Producers: Tim…
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S9 · E4 · 8 Sep 2026 · 41 min
04 Lies in Lismore | An arrest
Decades on, police make an arrest and lay charges for the murder of Simone Strobel. But what is the new evidence they've found? Richard Baker tries to figure out what led police to this dramatic arrest years into the investigation. Credits Host and reporter: Richard Baker Producer and fact checker: Romy Sher Supervising producer: Alicia Bridges Special thanks: Chiara Holzhaeuser; Joanne Shoebridge and everyone at ABC North Coast Additional reporting: Cath Adams Theme composition and additional music: Martin Peralta and Ashley Cadell Sound design: Tim Symonds Executive Producers: Tim…
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S9 · E3 · 8 Sep 2026 · 49 min
03 Lies in Lismore | One traveller speaks out
He's never spoken publicly about the night Simone disappeared, until now. Breaking his silence in an interview with journalist Richard Baker, he answers questions about what happened that night, and why he didn't tell police the full story. Credits Host and reporter: Richard Baker Producer and fact checker: Romy Sher Supervising producer: Alicia Bridges Special thanks: Chiara Holzhaeuser; Joanne Shoebridge and everyone at ABC North Coast Additional reporting: Cath Adams Theme composition and additional music: Martin Peralta and Ashley Cadell Sound design: Tim Symonds Executive Producers: Tim…
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S9 · E2 · 8 Sep 2026 · 43 min
02 Lies in Lismore | The lies
Simone's diary reveals arguments amongst travellers, police say they're being lied to, and the investigation into who caused Simone's death begins to narrow its focus. An inquest into Simone Strobel's death is eventually held, but some key people don't attend. Years pass and fellow travellers refuse to speak to the media, but investigative journalist Richard Baker learns one of them might finally break this silence and talk to him. Credits Host and reporter: Richard Baker Producer and fact checker: Romy Sher Supervising producer: Alicia Bridges Special thanks: Chiara Holzhaeuser; Joanne…
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S9 · 6 Sep 2026 · 3 min
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:…
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S7 · E9 · 6 Jul 2026 · 29 min
Blood on the Tracks | BONUS The Inquest Findings
After almost forty years, two inquests and because of one family that never gave up, the Coroner has finally delivered her findings into the death of Gomeroi teenager Mark Anthony Haines. Journalist Allan Clarke has spent close to a decade investigating Mark's death. His Walkley Award-winning coverage for the ABC reignited public attention on the case and helped drive it to this final inquest. Allan reflects on the findings and what it means to reach the end of a story he's carried for so long.
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S8 · E8 · 1 Jul 2026 · 18 min
08 What Became of Jack? | BONUS Behind the scenes
Journalist Rob Burgin breaks down his approach to investigating What Became of Jack? with Stephen Stockwell, host of the ABC's true crime podcast, "The Case Of." Stocky asks Rob about the challenges he had reporting the story, what he thinks of the evidence, and what's next for the people at its centre.
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S8 · E7 · 29 Jun 2026 · 34 min
07 What Became of Jack? | Two cars
A new theory emerges from tip-offs coming in to ABC journalist Rob Burgin. Rob investigates two cars spotted at Ficks Crossing the night Jack McLennan disappeared, hoping it might lead him to an understanding of what became of Jack.
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S8 · E6 · 22 Jun 2026 · 45 min
06 What Became of Jack? | Duke Speaks
The last known person to see Jack alive finally breaks his silence. Chris Duke speaks in detail for the first time, laying out his version of what happened the night Jack McLennan vanished and revealing new details about Jack's last known moments.
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