Murder inquiry opened: Popular TikTok star Sonia discovered dead farm
This story has significance for readers across Kenya and beyond.
- Sonia Bellina, a TikTok influencer with over 260,000 followers, was reported missing by her family on August 10
- A farm worker discovered a partially burned body in a vineyard in Saint-Gilles, southern France, days later
- French police arrested two men in connection with her death, with one suspect described as a convicted domestic abuser linked to sex crimes
A TikTok influencer known for her lifestyle and fashion content has been found dead in a vineyard in southern France, with investigators pursuing a murder inquiry and a key suspect remaining in custody.
Sonia Bellina, 29, was reported missing by her family on August 10.
What happened to Sonia Bellina?
Two days later, a farm worker stumbled upon a partially burned body lying between rows of vines in the Gard department, near the town of Saint-Gilles.
The condition of the remains made identification difficult, and authorities spent nearly a week working through forensic analysis before the Nîmes Public Prosecutor's Office confirmed on August 19 that the body belonged to Bellina, using DNA testing.
Before the identification was made public, Bellina's sister had spoken out during a TikTok livestream, sharing that Sonia had left home after telling her she intended to "end a toxic relationship."
The detail added a deeply personal dimension to a case that had already drawn widespread attention online.
Bellina was based in Paris for work but made regular trips to the Gard region to spend time with her family.
She had amassed more than 260,000 followers on TikTok, where she posted dancing clips, lip-sync videos, fashion content and lifestyle updates.
Who did police arrest?
French investigators opened a murder inquiry shortly after the body was found.
On August 19, police arrested two men, both under the age of 30, on suspicion of direct or indirect involvement in her death.
One of the two was released the following day after investigators concluded that the evidence available was insufficient to establish his role in the case.
The second suspect remained in police custody, with his detention extended through August 21 as questioning continued.
Investigators described him as a convicted domestic abuser with connections to sex crime organisations.
The exact cause of Bellina's death and the circumstances surrounding it had not been formally established at the time, with further forensic work still underway.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
Reporting originally appeared via TUKO. Read the full source for additional context.