Elisabeth-Jane Ross: Mystery surrounds death of British tourist whose body was discovered in suitcase in Athens

Police in Greece are working to establish whether “foul play” was involved in the death of a Scottish woman after her body was found in a suitcase in Greece.

Elisabeth-Jane Ross, 38, was believed to be staying with friends in Athens earlier this month before she was found dead. The Foreign Office is providing support and has remained in contact with local authorities who are working to establish what happened, alongside Police Scotland.

Family have since paid tribute to Ms Ross, with her aunt Anne Bangham saying on social media that 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. “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.”

What happened to Elisabeth-Jane Ross?

Ms Ross travelled to Greece from Edinburgh on 29 June and initially stayed with friends in the town of Keratsini, in the suburbs of Athens, before meeting American friends in Kypseli on 15 July, according to Greek media.

Her body was subsequently discovered by a homeless man in a derelict building in the Kypseli area of Athens on 18 July. She is believed to have died between five and seven days before she was found.

An investigation is ongoing to establish how she came to be found dead in the suitcase. A police spokesperson said there was no evidence on either the body or the luggage to identify a third party.

While little is publicly known, Greek broadsheet Protothema said police believe Ms Ross was killed not far from where the suitcase was found, suggesting it was transported to the scene on foot.

Who sent messages from her mobile phone?

Police believe that Ms Ross’s phone was used to send messages after her death, in an alleged attempt to put people looking for her “off the scent”.

The texts sent from her phone to her family and friends on 15 July said she “needed some time to herself” and she “wanted to be alone for a while”, according to reports.

Authorities are working to establish who may have been using Ms Ross’s phone.

What have Athens police said?

Greek police are trying to establish whether Ms Ross’s death was the result of a “criminal act”, with a spokesperson confirming toxicology tests are being carried out.

They added: “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.”

What have UK authorities said?

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.”

What happens next?

As police await toxicology reports to establish whether Ms Ross’s death was a criminal act, no arrests have been made as of yet. Questions remain about how she ended up in the luggage and who had been sending messages from her phone after her death.