An American couple who took in an Afghan migrant now accused of killing a Scottish charity worker and putting her body in a suitcase in Greece have told of their devastation following his arrest.
Victim and Suspect
Elisabeth-Jane Ross, 38, known as Lisa, was found dead by a homeless man in a derelict building in the Kypseli area of Athens on Saturday, July 18. Sharif Ahmadzai, 26, appeared in court in the Greek capital on suspicion of killing the aid worker, from Edinburgh, along with weapons offences and robbery charges.
The Couple's Account
The Christian husband and wife allowed then teenager Ahmadzai to live in their home for almost two years on the Greek island of Lesvos, where they were doing humanitarian aid work in the Moria refugee camp. The pair, who chose to remain anonymous, 'adopted' Ahmadzai, aged 16, after his tent burned down in a fire that broke out amid 'fighting' amongst the migrants, reports the Daily Mail.
The adoptive mum said: "When I heard the news, I couldn't imagine it to be true. Not in a million years. It doesn't feel real at all. I keep thinking I'm gonna wake up and it was a nightmare, and it's over. I'm heartbroken. I can't make any sense of it. It's a heartbreak that you can't understand. It's like I have the heart of a mother for that now adult-sized boy."
Life with the Family
The Afghan started calling the couple mum and dad and along with their two now-adult sons, who became his family. The mum helped Ahmadzai learn English, helped with other schoolwork and he shared photographs online of the Christmas gifts his new family bought him.
The couple eventually returned to their home in Atlanta two years later and last saw Ahmadzai while visiting Europe in 2019. The husband insisted there were never any red flags that Ahmadzai was capable of murdering someone.
Court Appearance and Claims
Ahmadzai appeared in court in Athens yesterday to face charges. It is understood he denied murdering the charity worker and claimed he had found Lisa already dead on the bathroom floor.
The court complex is located on the city's Evelpidon Street, a short walk from the derelict building where her body was found. Floral tributes have been placed on the ground next to the structure, with one card containing the words "Elisabeth-Jane Ross. Rest in peace" written in Greek.
Investigation Details
Cops said the suspect was detained for questioning after investigators reviewed surveillance camera footage recorded nearby. After allegedly killing Ms Ross, Ahmadzai is accused of sending a series of messages from her phone to her friends and family before switching off the device.
He is then said to have bought another phone and texted her friends in Athens, including his wife, impersonating an unnamed jihadist saying he had killed the Scot because of her religion, Greek newspapers Proto Thema and Ta Nea reported. The newspapers said his wife, a US citizen named Alaina Hall, told the police she suspected her husband's involvement in the killing when she woke up to find he was not in their apartment and tracked his phone to where Ms Ross was staying.
Aftermath
Ms Ross is believed to have died a number of days before she was found, during which time temperatures reached 36C. Authorities were able to identify her using fingerprints.
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office said: "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 spokesperson said: "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."
