News Editor Ajda Ender /Harrisons
A beautiful Austrian influencer was probably still alive when her ex-boyfriend allegedly buried her in a suitcase after strangling and stabbing her, prosecutors have revealed as they charged him with murder.
Picture shows Stefanie Pieper and her boyfriend Patrick M., undated. He brought Stefanie’s body to Slovenia in a suitcase. Note: Private photo. (Newsflash)
Stefanie Pieper, 31, was found buried in woodland in Slovenia days after disappearing from her home in Graz, in the Austrian state of Styria, following a party on 23rd November 2025.
Picture shows the suspect’s car burned out, undated. Patrick M. is accused of murdering influencer Stefanie Pieper. Note: Private photo. (Maribor Police/Harrisons)
Prosecutors in Graz filed charges on Monday, 21st September, against her 31-year-old Slovenian ex-boyfriend, named only as Patrick M., accusing him of murder and interfering with a corpse.
Influencer Stefanie Pieper, 32, poses in undated photo. She has been missing since November 23, 2025, Graz, Austria. Note: Private photo taken from social media. (newsX/NF)
A post-mortem examination reportedly raised the possibility that Stefanie was still alive when she was placed inside the suitcase and buried.
Picture shows Stefanie’s ex, Patrick M., undated. He brought Stefanie’s body to Slovenia in a suitcase. Note: Private photo. (Newsflash)
Patrick is accused of strangling Stefanie until she lost consciousness before inflicting multiple stab and cut wounds to her neck inside her Graz flat.
Influencer Stefanie Pieper, 32, poses in undated photo. She has been missing since November 23, 2025, Graz, Austria. Note: Private photo taken from social media. (newsX/NF)
He then allegedly put her in a suitcase, drove her across the border into neighbouring Slovenia and buried her in a remote stretch of woodland.
Influencer Stefanie Pieper, 32, poses in undated photo. She has been missing since November 23, 2025, Graz, Austria. Note: Private photo taken from social media. (newsX/NF)
Stefanie’s remains were discovered on 29th November after Patrick reportedly gave investigators information about where she had been buried.
Influencer Stefanie Pieper, 32, poses in undated photo. She has been missing since November 23, 2025, Graz, Austria. Note: Private photo taken from social media. (newsX/NF)
Local media previously reported that he had initially confessed to the killing after his arrest in Slovenia and claimed jealousy was the motive.
Influencer Stefanie Pieper, 32, poses in undated photo. She has been missing since November 23, 2025, Graz, Austria. Note: Private photo taken from social media. (newsX/NF)
But the Graz public prosecutor’s office said he now denies murdering Stefanie while admitting that he transported her body to Slovenia and buried it.
Influencer Stefanie Pieper, 32, poses in undated photo. She has been missing since November 23, 2025, Graz, Austria. Note: Private photo taken from social media. (newsX/NF)
The influencer, who had around 48,000 followers and worked as a make-up artist, had previously taken part in awareness work supporting victims of violence against women.
Influencer Stefanie Pieper, 32, poses in undated photo. She has been missing since November 23, 2025, Graz, Austria. Note: Private photo taken from social media. (newsX/NF)
Her disappearance sparked a major investigation after she failed to attend an appointment and police searching her flat discovered traces of blood.
Influencer Stefanie Pieper, 32, poses in undated photo. She has been missing since November 23, 2025, Graz, Austria. Note: Private photo taken from social media. (newsX/NF)
Neighbours also reported hearing a loud argument, while a witness reportedly saw Patrick leaving the building carrying an object resembling a sheet or carpet.
Stefanie’s mobile phone was later found in the Graz district of Eggenberg.
Patrick’s red Volkswagen Golf was subsequently discovered burned out near the Slovenian border before he was arrested.
Investigations against Patrick’s brother and stepfather, who had been suspected of helping transport or bury the body, have now been dropped by Austrian prosecutors after they said there was no evidence the pair had assisted with any offence in Austria.
Slovenian authorities are separately considering whether to open proceedings over any acts that may have taken place there.
Patrick faces between 10 and 20 years in prison or a life sentence if convicted of murder.
No trial date has yet been set.
(Harrisons)
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