# Saint-Gilles murder investigation > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/saint-gilles-murder-investigation > Updated: 2026-08-18T06:48:00.000Z. Sources: 25. Developments: 2. On August 12, 2026, authorities in Saint-Gilles, Gard, launched a murder investigation after an agricultural worker discovered a partially burned woman’s body in a vineyard. Cécile Gensac, the prosecutor of Nîmes, stated that the victim’s identity had not yet been established at the time of the initial discovery. By August 18, the investigation evolved into a suspected assassination inquiry. Following DNA analysis, prosecutor Cécile Gensac officially reclassified the case as an assassination. Authorities confirmed the victim is 29-year-old Sonia Bellina, a TikTok influencer from Nîmes with approximately 260,000 followers, who had been reported missing on August 10. Two men have been arrested and placed in custody; investigators believe their involvement may be direct or indirect. Forensic teams noted that flammable products were reportedly used to burn the body at the scene. Bellina’s family, including her sister Mia, had previously noted that Sonia planned to meet a former partner on the evening she disappeared. The family has expressed distress regarding the crime and requested that platforms like TikTok mitigate online rumors and harassment concerning the victim’s personal life. Legal counsel for the family has indicated they are taking steps to document and report such behavior to social media platforms. The Gard gendarmerie and the Nîmes research brigade continue to lead the inquiry, utilizing forensic examination and on-site samples to determine the full circumstances of the death. ## Claims - Official identification of the victim is pending DNA analysis results. (disputed by 13 sources) - DNA analysis has confirmed the victim is 29-year-old influencer Sonia Bellina. (disputed by 9 sources) - An agricultural worker discovered a partially burned female body in a vineyard. (corroborated by 20 sources) - The prosecution has launched a murder investigation. (corroborated by 12 sources) - Two men have been arrested and placed in police custody in connection with the death. (corroborated by 9 sources) - The case has been reclassified as an investigation into assassination. (corroborated by 4 sources) - Sonia Bellini had a scheduled meeting with a man she had previously dated on the night she disappeared. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Sonia Bellini had been missing for nine days prior to the discovery. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Sonia Bellini had approximately 260,000 followers on TikTok. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Authorities deployed 40 gendarmes to the scene in the Gard department. (corroborated by 2 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-08-18: Sonia Bellina: TikTok influencer identified after being found dead in French vineyard DNA analysis has confirmed that the charred body found in a French vineyard is 29-year-old TikTok influencer Sonia Bellina. Two suspects are in custody as authorities investigate the case as an assassination. 22 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/french-police-investigate-suspected-assassination-in-saint-gilles ### 2026-08-12: Saint-Gilles murder investigation launched after woman's body found in vineyard Authorities in Saint-Gilles, France, have opened a murder investigation after an agricultural worker discovered a partially burned woman's body in a vineyard. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/saint-gilles-murder-investigation-launched-after-womans-body-found-in-vineyard --- Cite as: Saint-Gilles murder investigation. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/saint-gilles-murder-investigation