Police in Austria have arrested the ex-boyfriend of influencer Stefanie Pieper, whose body was discovered stuffed in a suitcase and buried in a wooded area. The arrest of Patrick M. follows Pieper’s mysterious disappearance after attending a Christmas party on December 9, 2023. She was last seen getting out of a taxi with a friend before going silent.
Authorities became suspicious of Patrick when they found him in Pieper’s apartment during a welfare check. Inside, they also located her dog, Marlow, a Golden Retriever. Patrick claimed he was merely there to care for the dog, stating, “I don’t know where Stefanie is. I only have the key to look after her dog,” before leaving in his red Volkswagen Golf.
After originally fleeing to Slovenia, Patrick was apprehended and extradited back to Austria. Investigators suspect he may have played a significant role in Pieper’s disappearance, particularly after reports emerged of a heated argument between the two on the night she vanished. Witnesses reported seeing him carrying a suspicious roll of fabric, raising further concerns.
Investigators believe Patrick transported Pieper’s body across the border into Slovenia using his vehicle. His car was discovered abandoned and burned in a parking lot near the border, suggesting an effort to destroy evidence.
On the night of her disappearance, Pieper had expressed concern to friends about a “creep” lingering near her apartment. She described the figure as a “dark figure” in a text message, hinting at potential danger.
Search efforts for Pieper intensified, with police utilizing drones and sniffer dogs. They also conducted searches at various properties linked to Patrick’s family. The alarm was raised when she missed a scheduled photoshoot, prompting concern from her photographer. Upon checking her apartment, he contacted the police after discovering her abandoned phone in nearby bushes.
Pieper’s body was ultimately found in a forest near the town of Majsperk, Slovenia. This tragic case has captured the attention of the public and raised questions about safety and the circumstances surrounding her death.
