Authorities in Slovenia have discovered the body of a missing Austrian woman, Stefanie Piper, in a forest near Majšperk. The Maribor Police Administration reported this development early on the morning of October 7, 2023. Piper, aged 31, had been missing since the weekend prior, prompting an extensive search in both Slovenia and Austria.
Investigation Underway Following Discovery
Investigators from the criminal police in Maribor have already conducted a crime scene investigation, overseen by an on-duty investigating judge and an on-duty state prosecutor, as confirmed by police officials. The primary suspect in Piper’s disappearance is her former partner, a 31-year-old Slovenian with permanent residency in Austria. He was arrested early last week and subsequently transferred to Austrian judicial authorities.
According to reports from the Austrian newspaper Kronen Zeitung, the suspect allegedly provided information to the Austrian police following several hours of questioning. This led authorities to the location of Piper’s body in the forest. Media outlets have reported that the suspect is believed to have strangled Piper, placed her body in a suitcase, and buried her in the woods in his home country.
Timeline of Events Surrounding the Disappearance
Stefanie Piper was last seen early on the morning of October 1, 2023, after returning home from a gathering. She sent a message to a friend confirming her safe arrival, after which she seemingly vanished. Piper was scheduled for a photo shoot in the center of Graz later that afternoon but did not show up, raising concerns among family and colleagues.
When attempts to reach her failed, her family and colleagues contacted the Austrian police on the evening of October 1. Early in the investigation, authorities uncovered indications that her ex-boyfriend might be connected to her disappearance. Unofficial media reports indicated that the man had crossed the Austrian-Slovenian border multiple times in his personal vehicle in the days leading up to Piper’s disappearance, which heightened suspicions.
The investigation took a significant turn on the evening of October 2, when Slovenian police received a report of a car fire in a parking lot near a casino in Sentilj, just past the border crossing. Upon arrival, officers found the vehicle belonged to the suspect. They also encountered the 31-year-old man nearby, who failed to provide a convincing explanation for his whereabouts and the circumstances surrounding the fire. He was subsequently arrested, with Slovenian police notifying their Austrian counterparts.
The Maribor District Court has authorized the extradition of the suspect to Austria, where his brother and stepfather have also been detained. Meanwhile, the search for Piper continued actively in both Austria and Slovenia. Austrian detectives interrogated the suspect for several hours on October 6, during which he initially remained silent. Reports from Austrian media indicate that after extensive questioning, he ultimately confessed to the murder.
Details regarding the case are expected to be revealed during a press conference scheduled for the morning of October 8, 2023. Authorities are continuing their work to uncover the full circumstances surrounding this tragic incident.
