DOJO – Austrian beauty influencer Stefanie Pieper has been found dead in a forest in Slovenia after her ex-boyfriend allegedly confessed to killing her and led investigators to the hidden location, according to Austrian media reports. The 31-year-old makeup artist vanished after returning home from a Christmas party on November 23.
What happened?
Authorities say Pieper arrived at her apartment in Graz early Sunday morning after sharing a taxi home with a friend. She sent a WhatsApp message confirming she was safe, but followed up moments later saying she believed someone was in her stairwell. Neighbours later reported hearing loud arguing and claimed they saw her ex-boyfriend, also 31, in the building that night.
When Pieper failed to show up for a scheduled photo shoot the next day, colleagues raised the alarm. Her Golden Retriever, Marlow, was found alone inside her apartment, and her phone was discovered in bushes nearby. Police quickly identified her ex-boyfriend as a suspect.
The suspect’s movements and confession
Investigators report that the man crossed the Austria–Slovenia border several times in the days after Pieper disappeared. On November 24, Slovenian police found his car engulfed in flames in a casino parking lot near the border. He was arrested nearby.
During questioning, he allegedly confessed to strangling Pieper during a heated argument, placing her body in a suitcase, and transporting it into Slovenia. He then led investigators to a forest near Majsperk, where they recovered her remains.
Authorities also confirmed that two of the suspect’s family members — believed to be his brother and stepfather — have been arrested for allegedly helping cover up the crime.
Who was Stefanie Pieper?
Pieper was a well-known Austrian beauty influencer, makeup artist, and brand ambassador. She built a dedicated online following by sharing makeup tutorials, beauty recommendations, and personal content featuring her dog Marlow. Friends and coworkers describe her as warm, creative, and deeply committed to her craft.
