A Scottish woman whose body was found stuffed inside a suitcase and dumped at a derelict building in Greece has been remembered as a 'kind soul'. Elisabeth Jane Ross, also known as Lisa, was discovered by a homeless man in the Kypseli neighbourhood of Athens around 1pm on July 18.
Police said texts were sent from the 38-year-old's mobile phone in the days after her death until she was identified by media. Lisa's father, from Edinburgh, is believed to have received messages from July 15 to 29, almost 10 days after her body was found.
Investigation
Greek police said there were no visible wounds or clear signs of struggle on Lisa's body, and that she had been dead for approximately eight days. Detectives are trying to establish whether her death was the result of a 'criminal act', with a police spokesperson confirming toxicology tests are being carried out.
The spokesperson said there was no evidence on either the body or the suitcase that would enable them to identify a third party, reports the Daily Record. 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
Heartbroken friends and family 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 said: '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!'
Discovery
Ms Ross could not initially be identified by police at the scene because she reportedly had no identification on her. She was described as around 30 years old, 5ft 4in tall, with reddish hair tied in a bun. She was wearing a T-shirt and black shorts with a French university insignia when discovered.
The rough sleeper who found her saw a human limb from outside the suitcase after noticing a foul smell at 7 Evelpidon Street, a derelict building unoccupied for two years. According to local media, Ms Ross travelled to Greece from Edinburgh on June 29, initially staying with friends in Keratsini before meeting American friends in Kypseli on July 15.
Text messages
On July 15, texts were sent to Lisa's family claiming she 'needed some time to herself' and 'wanted to be alone for a while'. A message sent after her death on July 18 to a Greek friend, who she had known for years and had been staying with, said: 'I need some time - I'm going to a Greek island.' The phone remains missing and was active in the Athens area until around 24 hours before she was formally identified.
An autopsy is due to be carried out in the coming days. Interpol and US investigators have been called in by Greek authorities to assist. Police Scotland are in contact with Greek authorities and providing support to Lisa's family. 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 UK Foreign Office spokesperson 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.'
