French influencer Sonia Bellina found dead in vineyard; two detained

French influencer Sonia Bellina, 29, was found dead and partially burned in a vineyard in Saint-Gilles, southern France, on August 12. Her identity was confirmed a week later via DNA tests by the Nîmes prosecutor's office, which also announced the detention of two men suspected of involvement in the murder Source: El Mundo; La Voz.

The discovery

Bellina, who had over 250,000 TikTok followers, was found naked by a farm worker. A witness told Midi Libre that smoke was still rising from the body, suggesting the fire had been recent Source: La Voz. Her family had reported her missing after she left her mother's home around 1 a.m. that day Source: El Mundo.

The investigation

Two men, both around 30, are in police custody. One, with a criminal record for violence and illegal weapons, is suspected of being the last person in contact with Bellina the night of the crime Source: Infobae; Euronews. Investigators are also looking into a suspicious car seen near the vineyard that night Source: El Mundo. The prosecutor, Cécile Gensac, said the men's participation could be direct or indirect Source: La Vanguardia.

Family and reaction

Bellina's sister told local media, "She ran into the wrong guy at the wrong time" Source: La Voz. The family's lawyer, Mourad Battikh, called the killing "a murder of unusual brutality" and denounced online hate directed at Bellina Source: Infobae. The case adds to concerns about violence against women in France; the feminist collective #NousToutes counted 85 femicides in 2026 as of August 20 Source: Infobae.