Authorities in Slovenia have discovered the body of missing Austrian woman Stefanie Piper in a forest near Majšperk. The Maribor Police Department confirmed the discovery early on the morning of March 15, 2024. Piper, aged 31, had been reported missing since the weekend prior, prompting extensive searches in both Austria and Slovenia, according to local media outlet Delo.
The investigation into her disappearance has taken a significant turn, with law enforcement officials indicating that Piper’s former partner, a 31-year-old Slovenian resident in Austria, is the primary suspect. He was arrested at the beginning of the week and later transferred to Austrian judicial authorities.
According to reports from the Austrian newspaper Kronen Zeitung, the suspect allegedly led police to Piper’s remains following several hours of questioning. Investigators believe he may have strangled Piper, concealed her body in a suitcase, and buried it in the forest in his home country.
Piper was last seen on the morning of March 10, 2024, after returning home from a party. She sent a message to a friend confirming her safe arrival, after which all communication ceased. She was scheduled for a photoshoot in central Graz later that Sunday afternoon but failed to appear, raising concern among family and friends.
When attempts to reach her were unsuccessful, her family and colleagues contacted the Austrian police on the evening of March 10. Early in the investigation, police found indications that her ex-boyfriend might be connected to her disappearance. Unofficial reports suggested that he had crossed the Austrian-Slovenian border multiple times in his personal vehicle in the days leading up to her disappearance, raising further suspicions.
The investigation escalated on the evening of March 11, when Slovenian authorities received information about a car fire in a parking lot near a casino in Šentilj, just after the border crossing. The vehicle was confirmed to belong to the suspect, and upon arrival, police encountered the man in close proximity. His inability to provide a convincing explanation for the fire and his movements led to his immediate arrest.
A district court in Maribor approved the extradition of the suspect to Austrian judicial authorities, where both his brother and stepfather are also in custody. Meanwhile, active searches for Piper continued in both Austria and Slovenia.
Austrian detectives conducted extensive questioning of the suspect on March 15, during which he initially remained silent. Reports indicate that he ultimately confessed to the murder after several hours of interrogation. Police have stated that further details regarding the case will be disclosed at a press conference scheduled for Sunday morning.
