New development in the murder of beauty influencer Stefanie Pieper: Eternal demand to former boyfriend

The Austrian makeup artist and social media content creator Stefanie Pieper, 31, vanished from the city of Graz on November 23, 2025. With about 50,000 followers, Pieper was reported missing by a colleague after she failed to attend a photo shoot she was scheduled to join the following day.

Under the police investigation, Pieper's former boyfriend Patrick M. was apprehended in Slovenia shortly thereafter and extradited to Austria. In his initial statement, the suspect admitted to the murder and indicated to the police the location where the young woman was found.

Body Found Inside a Suitcase

Police teams found Pieper's lifeless body inside a suitcase buried in the earth in a forested area of Slovenia.

The prosecution alleged that Patrick M. killed Pieper in his home in Graz, then placed her body in a suitcase, transported it to Slovenia, and buried it in the forest.

Investigation and autopsy findings revealed signs of violence in Pieper's neck region. The prosecution claimed that the young woman was strangled and that cuts from a cutting instrument were found on her neck.

He Retracted His First Confession

Patrick M. later withdrew from the confession in his initial statement. The suspect, who admitted to transporting Pieper's body to Slovenia and burying it, denied the allegation that he killed the young woman.

The Graz Prosecutor's Office officially filed a lawsuit against Patrick M. on 21 September 2026. The case will be heard at the Graz Regional Criminal Court.

If Patrick M. is found guilty, he faces a prison term of 10 to 20 years or life imprisonment under the relevant charges in Austria, according to officials. The trial date has not yet been announced.