A Scottish woman whose body was found in a suitcase in Greece has been identified as Elisabeth-Jane Ross, 38. The discovery was made by a homeless man in a derelict building in the Kypseli area of Athens on July 18.
She is believed to have died between five and seven days before her body was found. Greek police reportedly think her phone was used to send messages after her death, in an apparent attempt to mislead those searching for her.
Background and Movements
According to local media, after travelling to Greece she initially stayed with friends in the town of Keratsini, within the Athens Urban Area, before meeting American friends in Kypseli on July 15.
Speaking on BBC Reporting Scotland on Thursday, Guardian newspaper Athens correspondent Helena Smith said Ms Ross had been in Greece for about two weeks before she died. “She had been staying with a Greek friend here in the capital, and then she disappeared,” Ms Smith said. “It would seem that someone had control, and I use that word very deliberately, over her mobile phone after she died, and was sending messages clearly to distract from the scent, to distract the authorities and her close friends from trying to track her down.”
Identification and Investigation
It has been reported that the body could not be immediately identified because it lacked any identification documents. Greek police authorities confirmed the identity after Interpol examined fingerprint data.
A spokesperson for Greek police said: “Further details have been requested regarding when she arrived in Greece, how, and with whom. We cannot provide further details at this stage, as the investigation is fully under way.”
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.”
