Two Detained After Influencer's Body Found in French Vineyard

Authorities confirmed that Sonia Bellina, a 29‑year‑old TikTok celebrity with 260,000 followers, was the victim after a body was found in a vineyard near Nîmes. Two men have been arrested for alleged involvement in the murder.

Police learned of the body on 12 August when a farmer discovered a charred human remains between rows of vines in Saint‑Gilles, a village close to the city of Nîmes. The initial assessment suggested a young woman, but DNA tests later linked the remains to Bellina.

Mauro Battikh, Bellina’s lawyer, called the disposal of the body a “murder of rare savagery” and urged the media to respect the family’s privacy. Online chatter has been violent, with some messages implying the influencer deserved the atrocity. The lawyer warned that defamation would be pursued if necessary.

The prosecutor, Cécile Gensac, said the suspects were held on Wednesday due to “evidence suggesting their direct or indirect involvement” and that the case is currently a murder investigation.