A $1 million reward has been offered to anyone with information about the murder of German backpacker Simone Strobel - 15 years ago in Lismore.

Simone, aged 25, was last seen at the Lismore Tourist Caravan Park on Friday, February 11, 2005, after a night out in Lismore – including a visit to the Gollan Hotel - with her then-boyfriend and friends.

See the video footage of Simone at the Gollan Hotel in 2005: https://youtu.be/J9aqcEuWahQ

Above: Simone Strobel (right). Below: Simone's tent at Lismore caravan park.

What happened to Simone?

Her body was found six days later, hidden under palm fronds at the sportsground less than 100 metres from the caravan park.

At a coronial inquest in 2007, then-State Coroner, Paul McMahon, ruled there was insufficient evidence to lay charges over Simone's death.

Simon'es then-boyfriend was identified as a person of interest in the case, but no one has ever been charged over her death.

Local investigations

In 2005, local police investigations involved police standing by the side of Uralba Street near the caravan park – with a dummy dressed in clothing similar to that worn by Simone - in the hope someone would see it and come forward with information.

Strike Force Howea was established in February 2005 to investigate Simone’s murder – with assistance from their counterparts at the State Crime Command, the Wuerzburg Criminal Police and the Prosecutor´s Office in Wuerzburg.

Richmond Police District Commander, Superintendent Scott Tanner at Lismore police station.

Reward

Today, Richmond Police District Commander, Superintendent Scott Tanner said the NSW Government had offered the $1 million reward for information that would lead to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for Simone’s homicide. The reward is open to anyone with information, anywhere in the world.

Supt Tanner said the ongoing investigations from Strike Force Howea over the past 15 years have identified persons of interest as they try to solve the cold case.

“I hope the reward will bring fresh information,” Supt Tanner said.

“What happened to Simone defies our values in this country and we owe it to her family to bring those responsible for her death to justice.

“One million is a substantial amount of money and could change someone’s life, and more importantly it could change the life of Simone’s family in Germany.”

German backpacker Simone Strobel.

The truth is out there

“We know the truth is out there, and we know there are people who are holding it back.

“This is a crime which has stuck with many families who have young relatives travelling the world, the thought of losing them so far away from home is hard to comprehend. Help us to put Simone’s family at ease,” Supt Tanner said.

In 2014, officers from and the Bavarian Office of Criminal Investigation announced a reward of 10,000 Euros for residents of both Germany and Australia who provide information that leads to an arrest and conviction – that reward remains current.

Contact police

As investigations into Strike Force Howea continue, anyone who may have information about Simone’s disappearance is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or visit https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au.

Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report crime via NSW Police social media pages.