The body of Scottish woman Elisabeth Jane Ross, known as Lisa, was found inside a suitcase on Evelpidon Street in the Kypseli area of Athens on Saturday, 18 July. The 38-year-old, from Edinburgh, was discovered by a rough sleeper, and Greek police have since charged a 26-year-old Afghan national.
Lisa arrived in Greece in late June and stayed at multiple locations before renting a ground-floor flat in Exarchia. According to police, the accused had access to her flat through a set of keys. She was last known to have been in touch with a friend three days before she was found dead.
Suspicious messages and CCTV evidence
Her loved ones grew alarmed when they continued receiving text messages that seemed out of character with her usual writing style, sparking concerns that someone else was using her mobile. After police examined CCTV and mobile phone data, footage revealed the suspect transporting a large suitcase from the Exarchia flat to the abandoned building in Kypseli on the night of 16 July. Minutes later, he was captured leaving the area carrying only a rucksack.
The suspect's wife also provided crucial evidence. She told investigators that a location-tracking app indicated her husband was at Lisa's flat during the evening of July 15 and into July 16. After Lisa's identification became public knowledge, she grew suspicious of her husband's role and departed their residence with her child. She handed police a mobile phone and €2,550 in cash that she thought might have belonged to the victim.
Confession and weapons charges
During interrogation, the suspect purportedly stated he discovered Lisa deceased in the apartment bathroom before placing her body in a suitcase and discarding it the next evening. However, police claim he subsequently confessed to using the victim's mobile phone to pose as her in messages dispatched to relatives and friends, while also making withdrawals using her bank cards.
A search of the suspect's residence on August 1 revealed a replica Glock-style pistol and a military-style knife, resulting in further weapons charges. Police confirmed forensic experts managed to retrieve usable fingerprints from the victim despite the significant decomposition of her body. Fingerprints corresponding to Lisa were identified following assistance from Interpol.
Investigation continues
The suspect has been referred to the appropriate prosecuting authority to answer the charges. Her cause of death remains undetermined pending toxicology reports, and a post-mortem examination is currently taking place.
Tributes
Tributes flooded in for Lisa following news of her death. Her aunt commented: 'Lisa was my beautiful loving niece we can't believe this has happened.' Pauline Hood wrote: 'I am totally devastated. One of the kindest souls I've ever met. Lisa would have done anything for anyone. She went that extra mile. She had a beautiful heart. I've got a lot of good memories of Lisa. Thinking of her friends and family at this most difficult time.' Jem Wren penned: 'Lisa was a lovely girl, I went to school with her. I just can't believe someone could do this to another person. Bless her and her family. RIP.'
Edinburgh MSP Simita Kumar said: 'My heart breaks for Elisabeth-Jane Ross, and my thoughts are with her family and friends. It's a tragic loss of such a young life. My deepest sympathies are will all who knew her. I am aware that Police Scotland are liaising with the Greek authorities, and I hope that those responsible will be brought to justice as quickly as possible. My office and I will do all we can to support Elisabeth-Jane's family through this unimaginable time.'
