An Austrian beauty influencer has been found dead in a forest in Slovenia, her body reportedly stuffed inside a suitcase days after she went missing following a Christmas party. The discovery has triggered shock and grief across social media and renewed concern over violence against women.
The victim, Stefanie Pieper, 31, vanished after attending a festive gathering on November 23. Friends said she last checked in by WhatsApp, writing that she had made it home safely. Hours later, she allegedly sent another message warning that a “creep” was loitering in her apartment block’s stairwell. From that moment on, she disappeared. Friends and colleagues grew alarmed when she failed to show up for a scheduled photoshoot and could not be reached.
Neighbours recalled hearing a heated argument around the time of her disappearance, and reportedly saw her ex-boyfriend at the building. Authorities now say that man, also 31, has admitted to killing her. According to police statements, he strangled Pieper and subsequently led investigators to the forest where her remains lay inside a suitcase.
Her body was recovered after a cross-border operation involving Austrian and Slovenian police. The suspect was initially arrested in Slovenia after a car fire near the border triggered suspicions. His vehicle, a red Volkswagen Golf, was later burned out in a casino car park — investigators believe this was an attempt to destroy evidence. Following the arrest, two other men, described as relatives of the suspect, were also detained on suspicion of assisting in disposing of the body or covering up the crime.
The case shocked those who followed Pieper’s online career. Based in Graz, Austria, she had built a following as a beauty influencer and content creator, sharing makeup tutorials, lifestyle posts, and images featuring her beloved golden retriever. She had also pursued music under the stage name Stefanie Pieper Music and at one point studied law at university. Her disappearance and subsequent death have devastated friends, fans and colleagues.
Officials said the investigation remains ongoing. Forensic examination of the crime scene and the suspect’s vehicle is underway, while authorities continue to question those currently in custody to determine the full extent of potential involvement.
This case has once again spotlighted the risks faced by women in intimate-partner violence scenarios, especially when social media visibility adds pressure and vulnerability. While Pieper’s death is now a matter of criminal investigation, for many her story has become a cautionary tale — a tragic reminder of how quickly a night out can turn fatal, and how urgent it is to confront threats before they escalate.