A shocking turn in the case of the Austrian influencer's death after the suspect claimed a 'knife fight' occurred.
The case of the death of influencer Graz Stefanie B. has taken a surprising turn after the detention hearing of her ex-boyfriend, Patrick M., 31, who suddenly presented a completely different account of events. His new statements included hints of a role reversal between the victim and the perpetrator.
Authorities in Styria say that the autopsy report has not yet been released, making the exact cause of death unclear. The body of Stefanie B., a well-known beautician and singer, was found in Slovenia two days ago. By the end of the week, Patrick M. had confessed to killing her during long hours of interrogation, although the essential details remained murky, and the police had not found the murder weapon, according to spokesperson Fritz Grundnig.
During the session on Monday, attended by his lawyer Astrid Wagner, the suspect suddenly claimed that Stephanie B. had allowed him to enter her home in the early hours of the morning. He alleged that they got into an argument, and that she threatened him — or threatened herself — with a knife. He indicated that while trying to wrest the knife from her, 'something happened' that he could not clearly remember.
This narrative strongly contradicts previous evidence, including the last messages from Stefanie B. on WhatsApp, which did not mention his presence at all. Investigators also say that the amount of blood suggests that strangulation is not the only possible cause of death. Her lawyer now confirms that 'an accident cannot be ruled out.'
After the incident, Patrick M. allegedly placed her body in a suitcase, drove it to Slovenia, buried the suitcase in a forest near Maribor, and then later set his car on fire, remaining silent for several days after his arrest. The police are also investigating the possibility of involvement of his brother and stepson; both were detained for hours before being released after his confession, but investigations with them are still ongoing.
Investigators plan to interview neighbors and other witnesses in the coming days. They are also trying to determine how many times Patrick M. crossed the border between Austria and Slovenia on the day of the crime and in the following days. So far, at least two crossings have been confirmed — one on the day of Stefanie B.'s death and the other the next day.