Stefanie Pieper: Murdered influencer had joined campaign against violence towards women

The body of 32-year-old Stefanie Pieper, who police have revealed was strangled, was discovered a week after she was reported missing, in the city of Graz in the Austrian state of Styria, according to reports on December 3.

Her ex-boyfriend, named only as Patrick M., 31, has reportedly confessed to killing her, placing her body in a suitcase and burying it in woodland across the border in Slovenia.

Investigators said he claimed jealousy was the motive and that he regretted what he had done, according to his lawyer, Astrid Wagner, who is known for having represented Josef Fritzl in the notorious “incest cellar” case. She said he had been in tears when he finally admitted what happened.

It has now emerged that Stefanie had taken part in awareness work supporting victims of violence, and colleagues told local media that she had been actively engaged in projects addressing abuse against women.

Michaela Gosch, 55, the managing director of the Steirische Frauenhauser, said: “We did a campaign with cinema adverts on the subject of violence against women last year, and Stefanie did the make-up.”

She said colleagues told her Stefanie had been very interested in the topic and committed to supporting affected women.

Singer Adriana, 32, known as Petra Melcher from the programme A Farmer Wants A Wife (Bauer Sucht Frau), also worked with Stefanie and paid tribute to her online.

She wrote: “Dear Stefanie, you did my make-up for the Superheroines Gala on the subject ‘Stop Violence Against Women’, and now this has happened to you, something we worked so hard against. I am infinitely sad. We do not give up and continue to fight for all women affected by violence. I am thinking of you. Rest in peace.”

Gosch said jealousy could be a warning sign and called for more preventive work with potential offenders. She said jealousy and love were different things and that prevention programmes aimed to show young people how healthy relationships should function.

Neighbours reported hearing a loud argument between the couple months earlier. One neighbour told local media that she heard Stefanie shouting that she wanted her money before he left.

The same neighbour said she saw Patrick carrying a plastic sheet on November 23, and Stefanie was reported missing shortly afterwards.

Police said Stefanie returned from a Christmas party at around 7am on November 23 and was killed in her flat shortly after.

She had sent a message to a friend saying there was a “dark figure” in the stairwell before she was attacked, according to investigators.

Her dog Marlow was later found alone in the flat, and her phone was discovered in a bush near the building.

Police said Patrick put her body in a suitcase, loaded it into his red Volkswagen Golf and drove across the border, where officers later found the body buried in woodland.

His car was later found burned out near a car park in Sentilj, and Slovenian police arrested him after a search. Two relatives who were initially detained were later released.

A preliminary post-mortem examination reported that Stefanie had been strangled, with bruising to the face and neck also observed. Further forensic tests are continuing.

In a custody hearing reported by local media, his lawyer said he was “completely broken” and claimed he told her he loved Stefanie and did not know why it happened. She said he cries constantly in custody.

Stefanie had around 48,000 followers and worked as a make-up artist, while Patrick worked as a waiter and part-time security guard. Neighbours reportedly said he had gambling issues that caused disputes. Investigations in both Austria and Slovenia are ongoing.

Story: Newsflash