Austrian beauty influencer Stefanie Pieper, 31, was found dead inside a suitcase in a remote forest in Slovenia, According to Austrian newspaper Kronen Zeitung. She had been missing for almost a week before her body was discovered on Friday.
Her 31-year-old ex-boyfriend allegedly admitted to strangling her and led police to the forest where he had dumped her body, according to Kronen Zeitung.
Who was Stefanie Pieper?
Stefanie Pieper was a 31-year-old beauty influencer and makeup artist from Graz, Austria. She used to create content about her makeup skills, lifestyle tips, and music across social media. Pieper, often posted about her Golden Retriever, Marlow, and collaborations with cosmetic brands, including IQ Beauty Of Course, where she served as a brand ambassador.
She was also a singer-songwriter under the name Stefanie Pieper Music and had studied law at Universität Graz.
Pieper disappeared after returning from a Christmas party on November 23. She was a singer and social media personality. Her family and colleagues reported her missing when she missed a scheduled photo shoot and “could not be reached,” according to the Styrian State Police.
Before she vanished, Pieper sent a WhatsApp message to friends saying she was home safe. She later sent another alarming message saying that someone might have followed her into her stairwell.
Investigation and arrests
According to the report, Neighbours heard an argument and saw Pieper’s ex-boyfriend in the building before her disappearance. The ex-boyfriend was arrested on Monday by Slovenian police after his car caught fire outside a casino near the Austria border.
He was believed to have traveled to Slovenia several times before his arrest. On Friday, he was extradited to Austria after leading authorities to Pieper’s body. “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. This was the 31-year-old man’s car. He was found in the immediate vicinity of the burning vehicle and arrested by the Slovenian police. Extradition to Austria has been requested,” the authorities said, according to PEOPLE.
Family members also arrested
The Styrian State Police later confirmed that two of the ex-boyfriend’s family members had also been arrested. Two male relatives, believed to be the brother and stepfather, were detained for helping in the disposal or cover-up of Pieper’s body.
