Stefanie Pieper: Austrian beauty influencer found dead in suitcase dumped in Slovenian forest
The body of a beauty influencer who went missing after a Christmas party has been found inside a suitcase.
Stefanie Pieper, 31, was reported missing on November 23 after she failed to attend an agreed meeting with a colleague in Graz, Austria.
Police went to the influencer’s Graz apartment where they reportedly found bloodstains on the doorframe.
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On November 29, Slovenian police found Pieper’s body stuffed inside a suitcase and buried in a forest near Mašperk, in the North of Slovenia.
A 31-year-old man was arrested on the suspicion of murder and remains in police custody.
Two other men from the suspect’s family were also arrested, but have since been released.
Christian Kroschl, a Graz police officer, said it is “almost certain” the released men “were not involved in the crime”.
Pieper had reportedly sent a message to a friend after the Christmas party to let her know that she had gotten back to her apartment safely. She then sent a second message which said she thought someone was in her stairwell.
Pieper’s cause of death has not been revealed by police and they refused to answer questions surrounding rumours that she was strangled.
Her body is now being transferred to Graz to undergo an autopsy.
Austrian news outlet Kronen Zeitung has reported that the 31-year-old Slovenian man has been extradited to Austria and is being held in Graz-Jakomini prison.
Pieper had nearly 50,000 followers on Instagram where she posted fashion, travel and beauty content as well as singing videos.
She also worked as a make up artist and specialised in doing bridal looks. The 31-year-old shared her work as a musician, with videos capturing performances at weddings, bars and seasonal markets.
Tributes are flowing for her on social media.
“Love and prayers to your family. Gone far too soon. RIP,” one Instagram user commented.
“I have to think about this all the time even though I didn’t know her. It’s unbelievable and unknowingly touches me a lot,” another wrote.
“Oh Fani. you don’t deserve any of this, I pray you find peace! There was a wonderful person and will always be unforgettable! Wishing your family lots of strength during this difficult time!”
