Austria is reeling after the murder of beauty influencer Stefanie Pieper, who was found dead in a Slovene forest. The 31-year-old creator built a loyal audience with her makeup, fashion, and singing videos. She went missing on November 23 after returning home from a party. She first told a friend she reached home safely but soon sent another message saying she heard someone in her stairwell.
Neighbours later reported hearing arguments in her building. Some said they saw her ex-boyfriend there that night. When her family and coworkers could not reach her, they alerted the police.
Authorities launched a search and soon focused on her ex-partner. Slovenian police found him near his burning car in a casino parking lot on November 24. Austrian police said he travelled to Slovenia several times that weekend. Officers arrested him, and he later faced extradition to Austria.
During questioning, he admitted to strangling Pieper. He told investigators that he hid her body in a suitcase and buried it in a forest. He then led police to the site. Two of his male relatives also faced arrest for their possible role in the case. Police continue to investigate the timeline and motives.
