Tributes have been paid to Elisabeth Jane Ross, a 38-year-old Scottish woman whose body was discovered inside a suitcase in an abandoned building in the Kypseli district of Athens. Known as Lisa, she has been described as a "kind soul" with a "beautiful heart" by devastated friends and family.
Her body was found by a homeless individual at around 1pm on July 18, and she had been deceased for approximately eight days. Greek authorities reported no visible injuries or obvious signs of a struggle. Investigators are working to determine whether her death resulted from a "criminal act", with a police spokesman confirming toxicology examinations are underway.
Investigation and evidence
The spokesman noted there was no evidence on either the body or the suitcase that would help identify a third party. The suitcase was found on Evelpidon Street in the Kypseli neighbourhood. Lisa was initially unidentifiable as she reportedly had no identification on her. She was estimated to be around 30 years old, standing at 5ft 4in tall, with reddish hair tied in a bun and dressed in black shorts bearing a French university emblem and a T-shirt.
The homeless individual who discovered her followed a foul odour inside the building, which had been vacant for two years, and spotted a human limb protruding from the suitcase.
Fresh insights into last days
Local media reports suggest Lisa journeyed to Greece from Edinburgh on June 29, initially residing with friends in the town of Keratsini, on the outskirts of Athens, before meeting American acquaintances in Kypseli on July 15. Claims have also surfaced that her mobile phone was used in an attempt to conceal her death. Text messages were sent from her phone in the days following her death until her identity was revealed by the media. On July 15, texts were sent to Lisa's family asserting that she "needed some time to herself" and "wanted to be alone for a while". A message transmitted after her death on July 18 to a Greek friend read: "I need some time - I'm going to a Greek island."
The mobile remains missing and was active in the Athens area until approximately 24 hours before Lisa was formally identified. It is believed that her father, from Edinburgh, had been receiving messages from July 15 to 29. A Greek officer said: "The phone was being used. Text messages were even sent obviously with a view to making people believe she was still alive. We are treating the building as a crime scene."
Tributes and ongoing inquiry
Heartbroken relatives and friends have paid tribute to Lisa on social media. 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." Anne Morrison added: "I hope they find out who did this! Sending condolences to Lisa's family and friends!"
A post-mortem examination is due in the coming days. Interpol and US investigators have been brought in by Greek authorities to help with the investigation. Police Scotland are liaising with Greek authorities and providing support to her family in Scotland. No suspect has been identified at this time. A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "We are aware of the death of Scottish woman in Athens and are liaising with authorities in Greece. Officers are providing support to her family in Scotland." A spokesperson for the UK Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development 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."
