A suitcase containing the remains of Elisabeth-Jane Ross had no fingerprints or DNA on the outside, Greek police have revealed as they try to trace who left it in a derelict building in Athens.
The body of the 38-year-old Scot was found stuffed into a suitcase in the Kypseli district by a homeless man on July 18. Local police said she had been dead for about eight days and had no visible wounds or clear signs of struggle.
Konstantina Dimoglidou, a spokeswoman for the Greek force, said: "Our priority is to get to the bottom of who left the suitcase. Whoever they were was careful not to leave fingerprints or DNA. We’ve had the entire homicide division of the Greek FBI working on the case. We’re in contact with other police forces. We’re going to solve this."
Toxicology tests fast-tracked
In the meantime, toxicology tests have been fast-tracked in the hope of confirming if foul play was involved. Police Scotland have been drafted in to help conduct inquiries in Inverness. It is understood she once lived in the city and still has friends there.
Earlier this week police in Athens said they were looking for a homeless man named 'Markos' to question him over the case. Markos is known to frequent the Kypseli district and regularly slept rough in the derelict space where the suitcase was found but has not been spotted since it was declared a crime scene - prompting a manhunt. He has been described as a known heavy drinker and drug user with a reputation for being aggressive and threatening, particularly towards women.
Timeline of Lisa's final days
Lisa travelled to Greece on an Edinburgh flight on June 26. On July 15, texts were sent to her family claiming that she "needed some time to herself" and "wanted to be alone for a while". She was last seen by friends on this date.
A message sent after her death on July 18 to a Greek friend, who she had known "for years" and had been staying with before her body was found, said: "I need some time - I'm going to a Greek island." The phone was active in the Athens area until the time Lisa was formally identified by the media. It's believed that her father, from Edinburgh, had been receiving messages from July 15 to 29.
Focus on American contacts
She was understood to have been staying with Greek friends in the Keratsini district and told them on July 15 that she was leaving to stay with a group of Americans she knew in Kypseli. Officers have now shifted their efforts to trace the Americans after clearing her Greek pals of any wrongdoing. They are yet to be traced.
Tributes
Tributes poured in for Lisa after the news of her death broke. Her aunt said: "Lisa was my beautiful loving niece we can't believe this has happened."
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!"
Edinburgh MSP Simita Kumar said: "My heart breaks for Elisabeth-Jane Ross, and my thoughts are with her family and friends. It’s a tragic loss of such a young life. My deepest sympathies are will all who knew her. I am aware that Police Scotland are liaising with the Greek authorities, and I hope that those responsible will be brought to justice as quickly as possible. My office and I will do all we can to support Elisabeth-Jane’s family through this unimaginable time."
