Ex-Boyfriend Charged in Influencer's Murder; Victim May Have Been Buried Alive

A 31-year-old man, identified only as Patrick M., has been charged with the murder of 32-year-old influencer Stefanie Pieper, who authorities believe may have been buried alive in a suitcase. Pieper was found in a forest near the Austrian border with Slovenia in November.

Prosecutors stated that it is possible Pieper was alive when placed in the suitcase, citing facial injuries that could indicate she was trying to escape. However, they also noted that the autopsy was unable to definitively determine if she was killed before or after being placed in the luggage. "It is quite possible that she was still alive when she was placed in the suitcase," prosecutors said in March.

Patrick M. initially confessed to killing Pieper, citing jealousy following their breakup. He was formally charged with murder on Monday, according to German outlet Bild. However, he has since reportedly retracted parts of his confession, now admitting only to burying her body.

Pieper was last seen on November 23rd at a Christmas party, where she sent a friend distressing texts about a "creep in the stairwell" after leaving the event. She was scheduled for a photoshoot the following day but failed to appear, prompting concern from her photographer, who noted that Pieper "would never have simply cancelled."

Upon checking her apartment and finding her missing, the photographer alerted authorities. Pieper’s body was discovered a week after she was believed to have been killed. Patrick M. was apprehended in Šentilj, a Slovenian town near the Austrian border, and subsequently extradited to Austria. His brother and stepfather were accused of assisting in moving Pieper's body but will not face charges, Bild reported.