In a deeply disturbing crime that has shocked Austria and beyond, 31-year-old influencer Stefanie Pieper was discovered dead, stuffed inside a suitcase and buried in a forest in Slovenia. The gruesome discovery came after days of intensive police investigation that ultimately led to her ex-boyfriend's confession.
The Disappearance and Investigation
Stefanie Pieper vanished on November 23 after returning from a Christmas party. According to the Styrian State Police, authorities confirmed on November 26 that the popular influencer could not be reached and launched a rigorous search operation.
The investigation took a crucial turn when police arrested Pieper's ex-boyfriend on Friday. The suspect had initially fled to his native Slovenia but was extradited to Austria following his arrest. After hours of intense interrogation, the ex-boyfriend broke his silence and confessed to the horrific crime.
The Confession and Crime Details
According to the shocking confession, the 31-year-old ex-boyfriend ambushed Stefanie Pieper after the Christmas party last Saturday. The two engaged in a heated argument that escalated violently, culminating in the man strangling Pieper to death.
Witness accounts provided crucial evidence, with neighbors reporting seeing the ex-boyfriend at Pieper's apartment carrying a suspicious roll of fabric. The suspect then used a red car to transport Pieper's body across the border into neighboring Slovenia, where he buried her in a wooded area inside a suitcase.
In a dramatic development, the suspect's vehicle was found burned in a parking lot near the border. "On Monday evening, November 24, 2025, the Slovenian police reported that a car had caught fire in the parking lot of a casino near the border," police authorities stated in an official release.
Final Messages and Additional Arrests
On the night of her disappearance, Stefanie Pieper had sent chilling messages to her friends, indicating she felt threatened. She texted about "a creep in the stairwell" and mentioned seeing a "dark figure" lurking around her apartment building.
The case widened with the arrest of the suspect's brother and stepfather, who were remanded in custody at the Graz-Jakomini correctional facility. Authorities believe they may have been involved in obstructing justice during the investigation.
The burned vehicle discovery proved crucial to the case. Police confirmed that "the 31-year-old man's car was found in the immediate vicinity of the burning vehicle and arrested by the Slovenian police. Extradition to Austria has been requested."
This tragic case highlights the growing concerns about violence against social media personalities and the real-world dangers that can follow online fame. The Austrian police continue their investigation while the influencer community mourns the loss of one of their own.
