The family of a Scottish woman brutally killed in Greece have expressed their "deep pain" in the wake of her tragic demise. Elisabeth-Jane Ross, 38, affectionately known as Lisa, was discovered lifeless by a homeless individual in an abandoned building in Athens' Kypseli district on Saturday, July 18.
Victim remembered as 'selfless'
Lisa, a missionary, has been fondly remembered by her family as a "selfless" individual who "dedicated her life to helping others in need". Her family shared: "Lisa will always be remembered by us as kind, principled and selfless. Her integrity was absolute, and she dedicated her life to helping others in need. We are in deep pain, and we ask for time and privacy as we come to terms with our loss."
Suspect appears in court
Sharif Ahmadzai, 26, faced court in Athens under suspicion of murdering the humanitarian worker, alongside charges of weapon offences and robbery. On Thursday, Ahmadzai - a professional boxer hailing from Afghanistan - was brought before the Court of First Instance in Athens, where he was held on charges of illegal weapons possession and intentional homicide. Christos Erdos, Ahmadzai's legal representative, confirmed his client remained silent during Thursday's proceedings. He did not enter a plea in response to any of the three charges levelled against him. It is believed he denies the murder charge, asserting that he discovered Lisa already deceased on the bathroom floor.
Investigation details
Lisa had journeyed to Greece from Edinburgh on Friday, June 26, initially residing with friends in Piraeus, a port region of Athens. Authorities said the suspect was held for interrogation after detectives examined CCTV footage captured in the vicinity. Following the alleged murder of Ms Ross, Ahmadzai is accused of dispatching multiple messages from her mobile to her friends and relatives before turning off the handset. He then reportedly purchased another phone and messaged her contacts in Athens, including his spouse, pretending to be an unidentified jihadist claiming he had murdered the Scot due to her faith, Greek publications Proto Thema and Ta Nea reported. The publications stated his wife, an American citizen called Alaina Hall, informed police she grew suspicious of her husband's involvement in the death when she awoke to discover he wasn't in their flat and traced his mobile to Ms Ross's location.
Legal response
Ahmadzai's legal representative has also alleged that his "have been violated". In a statement issued to journalists, Paraschis-Erdas and Associates claimed that the disclosure of "information and documents" constituted the breach. The law firm maintained that there were "no injuries whatsoever" and that "there was a complete absence of any obvious cause of death". The statement went on: "His approach toward the prosecutorial and investigating authorities was therefore not one of refusal to cooperate, but rather one of reservation, so that he could provide a full statement once the case file had been completed with the above essential documents. These documents had not been sought by the pre-trial investigating authorities. The sole objective is to establish the substantive truth, for the benefit of both sides."
Discovery and aftermath
The courthouse sits on the city's Evelpidon Street, just a brief stroll from the abandoned building where the charity worker's remains were discovered. Flower arrangements have been laid on the pavement beside the structure, with one message bearing the words "Elisabeth-Jane Ross. Rest in peace" written in Greek. Ms Ross is thought to have perished several days prior to being discovered, during a period when temperatures soared to 36C. Officials were able to confirm her identity through fingerprint analysis.
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office stated: "Our thoughts are with Elisabeth's family during this difficult time. We are providing consular support and are in contact with the local authorities." A Police Scotland spokesman commented: "We are aware of the death of a Scottish woman in Athens and are liaising with authorities in Greece. Officers are providing support to her family in Scotland."
