A 26-year-old man has been arrested after a missing Scottish tourist was found dead inside a suitcase dumped in an abandoned building in Athens, Greece.
Elisabeth-Jane Ross, 38, was discovered wrapped in cloth and stuffed inside the suitcase on July 18. A man experiencing homelessness reportedly found her remains after noticing a strong odor coming from a derelict building in the Kypseli neighborhood.
Greek authorities have opened a criminal case against the suspect for intentional homicide, robbery and weapons violations, according to The Guardian.
The suspect, identified by authorities as a 26-year-old Afghan national, was brought in for questioning on July 30. Police said surveillance footage and digital evidence connected him to Ross and showed his involvement in moving her body.
Investigators also claimed the man was recorded withdrawing money from ATMs using Ross’ bank cards.
Ross’ phone continued to be used after her death. Her father and other loved ones reportedly received messages that appeared to come from Ross, including texts claiming she “needed some time to herself” and “wanted to be alone for a while.”
Her father continued receiving messages from the device until around the time her body was publicly identified. Social media activity also reportedly appeared on her account after she had already died.
The phone has not been recovered.
Ross arrived in Greece from Edinburgh on June 26. She initially stayed with friends in Keratsini, near the port of Piraeus, before leaving around July 10 and renting an apartment in the Exarchia neighborhood of central Athens.
She reportedly told friends on July 15 that she planned to stay with “American friends,” but investigators have not confirmed that those friends existed or that Ross ever met them.
Greek media reported that the suspect had worked as a cleaner in the building where Ross was staying. He was also allegedly found with keys to her rental apartment.
Police believe surveillance footage showed the suspect transporting the suitcase containing Ross’ body to the abandoned building.
The man allegedly admitted moving the body but reportedly claimed that he found Ross already dead in the bathroom of her apartment. Authorities have not publicly accepted that account and are continuing to investigate how she died.
An initial examination found no obvious injuries or signs of a struggle. However, the advanced decomposition of Ross’ body prevented medical examiners from immediately determining a cause of death.
Authorities have fast-tracked toxicology testing and examinations of organ tissue. Experts are reportedly studying the lungs and eyes to determine whether Ross died naturally, suffocated or suffered another fatal event.
Police believe she may have died between five and seven days before her body was discovered.
A search of the suspect’s home reportedly uncovered a replica firearm, a knife and other weapons described by authorities as both real and fake. Those discoveries led to the additional weapons allegations.
Ross’ identity remained a mystery for several days because no fingerprints or DNA were reportedly recovered from the suitcase.
Authorities eventually identified her through Interpol after matching her fingerprints with biometric records held in the United States, where she previously worked, according to Kathimerini.
Greek investigators worked with Britain’s National Crime Agency and Police Scotland during the investigation.
Ross was well known for her humanitarian work and had volunteered with organizations helping refugees from Afghanistan, Iran and other countries. Friends said she devoted much of her life to caring for vulnerable people.
“RIP beautiful Lisa,” one online tribute read. “I will always remember you for your beautiful smile, warmth, care and kindness you showed to everyone.”
Another friend described her as “an angel full of innocence and goodness who only wanted to help people wherever she went.”
Ross was also reportedly a longtime member of City on a Hill church in Edinburgh. Flowers and handwritten notes have been left near the abandoned building where her remains were found.
The British Foreign Office said it was providing support to Ross’ family and communicating with Greek authorities. Police Scotland said its officers were also assisting her relatives.
Although Greek police have opened an intentional-homicide case, the medical cause of Ross’ death remains undetermined. The suspect has not been convicted, and the allegations against him must still be proven in court.
Wow, another sand ngr who shouldn’t be in Greece to begin with, but somehow got himself migrated there has committed a crime in a country he shouldn’t even be in.