Ex-boyfriend confesses to the murder of an influencer: The tragedy of Stefanie P.

Ex-boyfriend confesses to the murder of an influencer: The tragedy of Stefanie P.

In the case of the alleged murder of the 32-year-old influencer Stefanie P. from Graz, a shocking picture has emerged. Patrick M., the woman's ex-boyfriend, confessed to killing her in her apartment on November 23, 2025. This cruel act apparently occurred as part of a jealous dispute when Stefanie returned from a party. According to Patrick M., he then packed the body in a suitcase and hid it in a remote forest in Slovenia. This new information was confirmed by the Styrian State Criminal Police Office's investigation, which was initiated after Stefanie P.'s disappearance on November 23rd, after colleagues and relatives became concerned because she did not show up for work and could not be reached by telephone. The Kosmo reports that police were also looking for a suspicious burning car in a parking lot near the Austrian-Slovenian border. It turned out to be the ex-boyfriend's vehicle, which led to his arrest.

After Patrick M. was extradited in Austria on Friday, he made a confession after intensive interrogation. He uttered dramatic words: “It was me!” The investigators then found the female corpse in the suitcase, whose identity will now be confirmed by a DNA test. The preliminary findings assume that Stefanie P. was probably strangled. 5min reports that Patrick M.'s defense attorney, Astrid Wagner, emphasizes that the murder should be viewed as an emotional act and was not planned. She also notes that her client feels guilty and is at risk of suicide.

Femicide in Austria

Stefanie P.'s case is already the 15th femicide documented in Austria during 2025. It occurred during the “16 days against violence against women,” a time that draws attention to the misery and dangers that women face in Austria and around the world. In addition to the 15 femicides, a total of 25 cases of serious violence against women were registered this year. According to Gewaltinfo, the majority of femicides are committed in the context of family or partner relationships. In 2021, for example, 29 women were murdered in Austria, which is an alarming reality that requires a comprehensive discussion about the prevention of violence against women.

Maria Rösslhumer, managing director of the Autonomous Austrian Women's Shelters Association (AÖF), emphasizes the urgency of investing more in the protection of women and prevention work. There is a significant increase in femicides, which have doubled in recent years. Experts warn that violence against women is often presented as an individual problem, even though it is a men's problem for society as a whole. The AÖF and the Alliance for Living Free from Violence are calling for clear measures and more budget for equality and violence prevention work in order to combat these tragic events and enable women to live a safe life.