Greek police have arrested a 26-year-old man in connection with the tragic death of a Scottish woman, Elisabeth-Jane Ross, whose body was found in a suitcase in Athens. The body of the 38-year-old woman, originally from the Edinburgh area, was discovered by a homeless individual in an abandoned building in the Kypseli district on July 18. Investigation suggests she passed away approximately five to seven days before being found.
During the time between her death and the discovery of her body, someone was using Ross’s mobile phone to send messages pretending to be her. Hellenic Police were able to identify her through fingerprints and are conducting toxicology tests to determine the cause of death.
Ross arrived in Greece on June 26 and initially stayed with friends in Piraeus before reportedly planning to meet American friends in another part of Athens, though it remains uncertain if this meeting occurred. The suspect was identified through video footage analysis and has confessed to the crime of placing her body in a suitcase at the abandoned location.
Following the discovery, the suspect allegedly used Ross’s bank card to withdraw money. Police found a replica pistol and a knife at the suspect’s residence, leading to charges of manslaughter, robbery, and weapon law violations against him. The investigation is ongoing, with authorities working diligently to solve the case.
The Greek police spokesperson, Konstantina Dimoglidou, emphasized the commitment to resolving the case, mentioning the collaboration with various law enforcement agencies. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office expressed condolences to Ross’s family and assured that consular support is being provided. Police Scotland is also cooperating with Greek authorities and offering assistance to the victim’s family during this challenging time.