‘Charred’ body found in vineyard in southern France identified as influencer Sonia Bellina
Charred Body in French Vineyard Identified as Influencer
Poinews.com – A charred body found in vineyard land near Saint-Gilles, southern France, has been confirmed as Sonia Bellina, a 29-year-old social media personality with more than 250,000 TikTok followers. The Nîmes public prosecutor's office announced on 19 August that DNA analysis matched the remains to Bellina. Workers in the vineyards surrounding the small settlement — roughly twenty kilometres from Nîmes in the Gard department — first discovered the partially charred female body on 12 August, sparking a week of searching and speculation before identification was completed.
The Final Hours Before Disappearance
Bellina's sister described the last moments before her sister vanished. According to the family account, Sonia made a brief announcement before leaving the house in the early hours of the morning:
"She told us at 1 am: 'I'll be back, I'm going to see someone, I'll be back quickly.'"
The sister continued, explaining how her sister departed without any belongings and how all contact was lost within an hour. The phone went silent at 2 am, and repeated attempts to reach her yielded nothing.
"She didn't take her bag, she didn't take anything, she just walked out. Her phone went off at 2am. We tried to call her. Nothing. Her phone had been switched off."
In a separate video shared on social media, another sister voiced the family's fear that Sonia had been harmed by a man she was dating — someone the family said they had never met. An older sister, speaking to the French newspaper Midi Libre in a recorded interview, offered a shorter assessment of what she believed had happened:
"She ran into the wrong guy at the wrong time."
Two Men Placed in Police Custody
Prosecutor Cécile Gensac announced that two men were arrested on Wednesday and placed in police custody because of evidence suggesting their direct or indirect involvement in the events surrounding the charred body found in vineyard soil. One of the detainees, already familiar to French authorities through a history of violent offences, is believed to have been the last individual to see Bellina alive on the night she vanished. The investigation remains ongoing as authorities examine the timeline of events and gather further forensic evidence from the scene.
Family Lawyer Vows Legal Action Against Online Harassment
Mourad Battikh, the family's attorney, told Agence France-Presse that the family would pursue legal remedies against those who post defamatory content online. He singled out what he termed the "unspeakable cruelty" of internet reactions to videos in which Bellina displayed her appearance. Battikh issued a firm warning to those continuing to share or comment on such material:
"We will take legal action against anyone who commits an offence."
Although Bellina lived in Paris, she maintained strong ties to the Gard department in southern France, where she was originally from, and made frequent trips back to see her family. The local community in Saint-Gilles has expressed its shock and grief at the identification, and residents have gathered near the vineyard where the remains were discovered.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where was the body discovered? The charred body was found in vineyard land near Saint-Gilles, a small settlement approximately twenty kilometres from Nîmes in the Gard department of southern France. Workers in the surrounding vineyards made the discovery on 12 August 2026.
How was Sonia Bellina identified? The Nîmes public prosecutor's office confirmed on 19 August that DNA analysis matched the remains to Sonia Bellina, a 29-year-old social media personality with over 250,000 TikTok followers.
What is known about the investigation? Two men were placed in police custody on Wednesday following evidence of direct or indirect involvement. One detainee has a prior record of violent offences and is believed to have been the last person to see Bellina alive. The investigation remains active.
What is the family's legal position? Family attorney Mourad Battikh has stated that legal action will be taken against anyone posting defamatory content online, particularly in response to videos showing Bellina's appearance.