Woman found dead in suitcase in Athens was ‘kind soul’ with ‘beautiful heart’

Elisabeth Jane Ross, also known as Lisa, was found by a homeless man on July 18.

A Scottish woman who was found stuffed in a suitcase and dumped in an abandoned building in Greece has been remembered as a “kind soul”.

The remains of 38-year-old Elisabeth Jane Ross, also known as Lisa, were discovered by a homeless man in the neighbourhood of Kypseli, Athens, around 1pm on July 18.

Lisa had been dead for approximately eight days. No visible wounds of any clear signs of struggle were found on the body, according to Greek police.

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

The spokesperson added there was no evidence on either the body or the suitcase that would enable them to identify a third party.

Tributes have been paid to Lisa from heartbroken loved ones on social media.

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!”

Ms Ross couldn’t be identified at first by officers at the scene because she reportedly had no identification on her. She was believed to be around 30 years old, 5ft 4in tall, with reddish hair tied in a bun and wearing black shorts, with a French university insignia on them, and a T-shirt.

The rough sleeper who found her said he followed a foul smell inside the deserted building which had lain empty for two years. It is understood he saw a human limb visible from the outside of a suitcase.

New details about her final days have been revealed as the investigation continues.

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

It has also been claimed that her phone was being used in an attempt to cover her death.

Text messages from her phone were sent in the days after her death up until she was identified by media.

On July 15, texts were sent to Ross’ family claiming that Elizabeth “needed some time to herself”. They went on to say that she “wanted to be alone for a while”.

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 remains missing and was active in the Athens area until around 24 hours ago when Elisabeth was formally identified. It’s believed that her father, from Edinburgh, had been receiving messages from July 15 to 29.

A Greek officer said: “The phone was being used. Text messages were even sent obviously with a view to making people believe she was still alive. We are treating the building as a crime scene.”

An autopsy is due to be carried out in the coming days. Interpol and US investigators have been called in by the Greek authorities to assist with the probe.

Lisa is understood to have travelled to Greece on June 29 via Cyprus after coming from the US. Officers are now speaking with anyone who may have come in contact with her prior to her death. Two photos of Lisa smiling have been released by Greek outlet Cretalive.

One local who lives near the scene previously told Greek media outlets the building where Elisabeth’s body was found was used by rough sleepers. The resident added that one man stayed there regularly but that he had not been seen for a number of days.

Police Scotland are liaising with authorities in Greece regarding the probe. Officers are also providing support to her family in Scotland. No suspect has been identified at this time.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “We are aware of the death of Scottish woman in Athens and are liaising with authorities in Greece. Officers are providing support to her family in Scotland.”

A UK Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office spokesperson 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.”