The grieving family of a British woman who was tragically discovered dead in a suitcase expressed their profound sorrow after the suspected perpetrator of her murder faced court proceedings.
Elisabeth-Jane Ross, also known as Lisa, aged 38, was found by a homeless individual in an abandoned structure in Athens on July 18, several days following her reported disappearance.
Engaged in charitable activities in Greece during the summer as a Christian aid volunteer, Lisa’s life was dedicated to assisting those in need. Sharif Ahmadzai, a 26-year-old Afghan boxer, appeared in court and was charged with robbery and weapon-related offenses.
In their first public statement following their daughter’s passing, Lisa’s family described her as a compassionate and selfless individual with unwavering integrity. They requested privacy as they cope with their loss.
Ahmadzai, a professional boxer hailing from Afghanistan, was brought before the Court of First Instance in Athens on accusations of unlawful possession of weapons and intentional homicide. Refraining from speaking during the hearing, he did not enter a plea regarding the charges. Local reports suggest he denies involvement in the murder, claiming to have found Lisa deceased on the premises.
Allegedly introduced to Lisa through his American wife, Alaina Hall, whom he collaborates with in a charity called Love Every Nation, Ahmadzai’s wife suspected his involvement in the crime upon discovering his absence and tracking his location to the site where Lisa was residing.
Law enforcement authorities detained the suspect for questioning after reviewing nearby CCTV footage. Following the alleged murder, Ahmadzai purportedly sent messages from Lisa’s phone to her acquaintances before deactivating the device. Subsequently, he reportedly acquired another phone and messaged Lisa’s friends, including his wife, posing as an unidentified extremist claiming responsibility for the act due to religious differences.
It is believed that Lisa had passed away several days before her discovery in the Kypseli district of Athens, where temperatures had soared to 36C. Her identity was confirmed through fingerprint analysis.
Memorial tributes have been laid near the building, with one card bearing the inscription “Elisabeth-Jane Ross. Rest in peace” in Greek.
A spokesperson from the Foreign Office expressed condolences to Elisabeth’s family, offering consular assistance and maintaining contact with local authorities.
Additionally, a spokesperson from Police Scotland acknowledged the Scottish woman’s demise in Athens, coordinating with Greek authorities and extending support to her family in Scotland.