06 Lies in Lismore | Strange decisions
Summary
This episode of Unravel examines the flawed investigation into Simone Strobel’s 2005 murder, focusing on a biased crime scene analysis that prematurely targeted her partner, Tobias. Host Richard Baker explores the bizarre arrangement where police granted a creative writing student access to the active case file, a decision experts deem operationally dangerous. Retired Detective Inspector Wayne Hayes discusses why other suspects with alleged confessions were quickly ruled out, while the show highlights a police officer’s racially biased notes that may have influenced those exclusions. The ep…
Topics discussed
Introduction to What Is That Rash podcast
Virginia Peters attends the 2007 coronial inquest
Virginia's decision to travel to Germany and write a book
Unusual arrangement between Virginia and police
The 2007 inquest and the crime scene analysis report
Expert critique of the forensic profiling report
Bias in the report and exclusion of other suspects
Alibi discrepancies of Jamie Vidler and the Green brothers
Police statement on Aboriginal crime and suspect elimination
The quid pro quo deal with Officer Shane Diem
Virginia's access to the police case file
Expert opinion on sharing active case files
Officer Diem's refusal to comment on the arrangement
Virginia's research in Germany and interview with Tobias
Legal battle over the publication of Virginia's book
Questions for police on investigation decisions
Interview with Det Insp Wayne Hayes on suspect elimination
Debate on tunnel vision and the inquest witness list
Reaction to Tobias's 2022 arrest and dropped charges
Wayne Hayes on the file access and tunnel vision criticism
Virginia's statement and late-stage DNA testing
Announcement of a second inquest and episode outro
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