Authorities in Slovenia have confirmed the discovery of a woman’s body in a forest near Majšperk, identified as Stefani Piper, a 31-year-old Austrian woman who had been missing since last weekend. The Maribor Police Directorate announced the finding on the morning of March 15, 2024, following an intensive search effort that spanned both Austria and Slovenia.
Investigators from the criminal police in Maribor have already conducted a crime scene analysis, which included the presence of an on-duty investigating judge and a state prosecutor. They are currently treating the case as a homicide, focusing on the primary suspect, Piper’s ex-partner, a 31-year-old Slovenian who resides in Austria. He was apprehended at the beginning of the week and has since been transferred to Austrian judicial authorities.
According to the Austrian newspaper Kronen Zeitung, the suspect reportedly provided information to the Austrian police after several hours of questioning, leading them to the location of Piper’s body in the forest. Initial reports suggest that he may have strangled Piper, placed her in a suitcase, and buried her in the woods in his homeland.
Piper was last seen in the early hours of Sunday when she returned home from a gathering. She sent a message to a friend confirming her safe arrival, after which her whereabouts became unknown. She was expected to attend a photoshoot in Graz on Sunday afternoon but failed to appear, prompting concern from family members and colleagues. By Sunday evening, they had reported her missing to the Austrian police.
From the outset of the investigation, authorities discovered evidence suggesting that her ex-boyfriend might be linked 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 her disappearance, raising further suspicions.
The investigation took a significant turn on Monday evening when Slovenian police received reports of a vehicle fire in a parking lot near a casino in Šentilj, just after the border crossing. Upon arrival, they found the 31-year-old suspect nearby. He was arrested after failing to provide a credible explanation for the circumstances surrounding the fire and his movements. Slovenian authorities subsequently informed their Austrian counterparts about the arrest.
The District Court in Maribor has approved the extradition of the suspect to Austrian judicial authorities. Alongside him, his brother and stepfather have also been detained in connection with the investigation. Meanwhile, an active search for Piper continued in both Austria and Slovenia as police sought to piece together the events leading to her tragic death.
Austrian investigators spent several hours questioning the suspect on Friday. Initially silent, he eventually confessed to the murder, according to reports from Austrian media. Details regarding the case and the investigation will be revealed in a press conference scheduled for Sunday morning, as authorities work to bring clarity to this distressing situation.
