Athens police unable to trace ‘US friends’ British woman found dead in suitcase was due to meet

Greek police investigating the death of a Scottish woman found dead in a suitcase have been unable to trace the “American friends” she was supposed to be meeting just three days before her body was discovered.

Elisabeth-Jane Ross, 38, was found dead on 18 July, after telling friends in Keratsini, Athens, that she was meeting people from the US in the nearby neighbourhood of Kypseli.

Police are now working to establish whether “foul play” was involved after her body was discovered by a homeless man in a derelict building in the area where she was supposed to meet the friends.

She is believed to have died between five and seven days earlier.

A source told The Times that detectives could not determine whether she met those friends or whether they existed at all, as no one has come forward with evidence.

“We do not yet know who the people she visited are, or whether they are Americans,” the source told the newspaper. “We are still trying to find out where she went next [after Keratsini] and who she stayed with.”

Police believe that someone used Ross’s phone to send text messages following her death in an attempt to mislead authorities and friends investigating her disappearance.

Her family and friends reportedly received messages from her number on 15 July, saying she “needed some time to herself” and that she “wanted to be alone for a while”.

Another message was reportedly sent from her phone, after police believe she had died, to a Greek friend she had been staying with days before she was found. It read: “I need some time – I’m going to a Greek island.”

Ross had been in Greece for around two weeks before she was found and was identified through Interpol fingerprint data.

Police believe she was killed close to the building where she was discovered and are now trying to determine whether her death was the result of a “criminal act”.

A spokesperson for the force said: “No other evidence has emerged from the body or the suitcase that would allow us to identify another person.

“We are awaiting the result of toxicology tests to determine the cause of death, and ascertain whether foul play was involved. The investigation is ongoing.”

Ross’s aunt Anne Bangham said the family “can’t believe this happened” as she paid tribute to her “beautiful” and “loving” niece.

“It is horrific. We just can’t believe it. She was such a beautiful, loving and kind young lady,” she wrote in a post on social media. “I wish I could get my hands on whoever did it. She had not long arrived there to work. It will take a while to sink in.”

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.”

The Independent has approached police for further comment.