A murder inquiry has been launched in France following the discovery of the naked and partially burned body of TikTok influencer Sonia Bellina in a vineyard in the south of the country. Bellina, 29, who used the online name Mia and had over a quarter million followers, went missing on August 10 while on holiday in the Gard department, and her body was found in an isolated vineyard near Saint-Gilles. Prosecutors confirmed the opening of a murder investigation after the body was identified by her family.
Nimes public prosecutor Cécile Gensac stated that the body had been "partially burned," suggesting an attempt to destroy evidence. No arrests have been made in connection with the case so far.
Bellina was preparing to celebrate her 30th birthday next month. Her sister, who was not named, told local media that Bellina had gone out one evening and never returned. "She may have run into the wrong guy at the wrong time," her sister added, expressing shock at the incident and condemning online hate campaigns and speculation surrounding Bellina's death.
The family's lawyer, Mourad Battikh, said they are taking steps to document and preserve evidence related to online publications containing rumors and offensive remarks about the case. He indicated that legal action would follow for each instance of harmful content. Law enforcement officials often warn individuals, including influencers, about the potential risks of sharing personal details online, which can attract unwanted attention from criminals.
