Two detained after French influencer's scorched body found in vineyard

Two men have been arrested in connection with the suspicious death of a young woman whose charred remains were discovered in a vineyard in southern France. The Nîmes prosecutor, Cécile Gensac, confirmed on Wednesday that the body found in the Saint-Gilles vineyard belonged to social media influencer Sonia Bellina, who had a significant following on TikTok. Bellina, who was 29 years old, had recently returned to her family's village near Nîmes for a short visit ahead of her 30th birthday.

Police launched a murder investigation after a farmer discovered a body between rows of vines in the village on August 12th. However, it took several days for authorities to identify the victim as Bellina, as her identity was initially only suspected based on the body's condition. The prosecutor later revealed that DNA analysis confirmed Bellina's identity, following widespread speculation in the media and online.

The family's lawyer, Mourad Battikh, expressed his shock at the violent nature of the incident, stating that the body had been found almost as if it had been abandoned like garbage. He emphasized that the family would not tolerate any disrespectful comments about their loved one, vowing to hold anyone spreading such allegations accountable. The family requested privacy and respect during this difficult time as they grappled with the tragic loss of their 29-year-old relative.