Murder inquiry after TikTok star’s naked body is found in south of France vineyard where she had been on holiday
A murder investigation has been launched in France after the naked, partially burnt body of TikTok influencer Sonia Bellina, 29, was found in a vineyard in the south of the country. Ms Bellina, who had more than a quarter of a million followers and also went by the name Mia online, had gone missing on 10 August while on holiday in the Gard department, shortly before she was due to celebrate her 30th birthday. Her case has drawn wide attention given her large social media following, and has also prompted renewed warnings from authorities about the risks influencers face from sharing personal details publicly.
A farm worker discovered the body between rows of vines in Saint-Gilles, near Nîmes, and it was later identified by Ms Bellina's family, with DNA test results pending. Nîmes public prosecutor Cécile Gensac confirmed the body had been partially burned, apparently in an attempt to destroy evidence, and said no arrests have yet been made. Ms Bellina's sister said she had gone out on the evening of 10 August and never returned, suggesting she may have "run into the wrong guy at the wrong time," while the family's lawyer condemned a social media "hate campaign" involving speculation, offensive comments and the circulation of her images, and said steps were being taken to preserve evidence and report abusive posts.
- French murder inquiry opened over TikTok star Sonia Bellina's death
- Body found partially burnt in a vineyard near Nîmes
- No arrests yet; family condemns online "hate campaign"
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French investigators have launched a murder inquiry after a young woman known for her presence on TikTok was found dead, and unclothed, in a vineyard in the south of France. She had reportedly travelled to the region on holiday when she died, and the discovery has prompted police to treat her death as suspicious rather than accidental.
The case has attracted widespread attention largely because of the victim's online profile, which meant news of her death spread quickly among her followers and on social media more broadly. As with any active police investigation, official details remain limited at this stage, including confirmation of her identity, the precise location, and how she died.
Cases like this typically move through several phases: an initial discovery, a forensic and police investigation to determine the cause of death, and potentially the identification of suspects or persons of interest. Readers should expect the picture to develop as French authorities release further information, and any details not yet confirmed by investigators should be treated with caution.