- By Supratik Das
- Mon, 01 Dec 2025 11:22 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
Stefanie Pieper Murder: Austrian beauty influencer Stefanie Pieper, 31, who went missing late last month, was found dead in a forest in Slovenia after her ex-boyfriend allegedly confessed to killing her and hiding her body in a suitcase, police said on Sunday.
The case has shocked Austria, with investigators now probing how the 31-year-old was murdered, transported across the border, and buried in a remote wooded area.
Influencer Vanishes After Christmas Party
Pieper, known on social media for her makeup, fashion, and music content, was last seen on November 23 after attending a Christmas party. According to Styrian State Police, she messaged a friend that she had reached home safely, but followed it up moments later with another message saying she believed someone was in her building’s stairwell.
Neighbours told local media that they heard heated arguments that night and allegedly saw her ex-boyfriend inside the building. When relatives and colleagues were unable to reach her for a scheduled photoshoot, they filed a missing persons report. The breakthrough came when Slovenian police found a car on fire in the parking lot of a casino near the Austrian-Slovenian border on November 24. The vehicle belonged to Pieper’s former boyfriend. He was detained soon after.
Police later said the man had travelled to Slovenia multiple times that week. Upon questioning, he allegedly admitted to strangling Pieper, placing her body inside a suitcase and burying it in a nearby forest. He then led investigators to the burial site, where Pieper’s remains were recovered on Friday. Authorities said the body was concealed in such a way that “it would have been almost impossible to find without guidance”.
Motive Remains Unclear
Austrian daily Kronen Zeitung reported that after being extradited from Slovenia, the accused agreed to cooperate with investigators. The Styrian State Police confirmed that two of his relatives, identified locally as his brother and stepfather, have also been arrested. Their exact role is still under examination.
Police have not disclosed what led to the killing. Local reports suggest that Pieper and the man were no longer in a relationship, but investigators have yet to confirm whether the murder stemmed from a domestic dispute, stalking, or any form of planned violence.
ALSO READ: Alabama 'Monster' Jailed For 965 Years Over 84 Child Sex Crimes And Filming 500 Abusive Videos
Pieper’s disappearance and the grim discovery have sparked widespread discussion across Austria about violence against women. Friends and followers described her as “cheerful, talented and hardworking”, with many saying she had been preparing for multiple year-end collaborations.
With inputs from ANI.