Elisabeth Jane Ross, a 38-year-old Scottish woman found dead in a suitcase in an abandoned building in Athens, has been remembered as a “kind soul” with a “beautiful heart” by devastated friends and family, as Greek police investigate the circumstances of her death
Tributes have been made to Elisabeth Jane Ross, also known as Lisa(Image: Facebook)
A Scottish woman whose body was discovered crammed inside a suitcase and abandoned in a derelict building in Greece has been fondly remembered as a “kind soul”.
The body of 38-year-old Elisabeth Jane Ross, known as Lisa, was found by a homeless individual in the Kypseli district of Athens at around 1pm on July 18.
Lisa had been deceased for roughly eight days. Greek authorities reported no visible injuries or obvious signs of a struggle on the body.
Investigators are working to determine whether Lisa’s death resulted from a “criminal act”, with a police spokesman confirming toxicology examinations are underway.
She was found dead in a suitcase while on holiday in Greece(Image: Facebook)
The spokesman noted there was no evidence on either the body or the suitcase that would help them identify a third party, reports the Daily Record.
Heartbroken relatives and friends have paid tribute to Lisa across social media platforms.
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!”
Lisa was initially unidentifiable by officers at the scene as she reportedly had no identification on her. She was estimated to be around 30 years old, standing at 5ft 4in tall, with reddish hair tied in a bun and dressed in black shorts, bearing a French university emblem, and a T-shirt.
The suitcase was found on Evelpidon Street in the neighbourhood of Kypseli (file)(Image: Google)
The homeless individual who discovered her followed a foul odour inside the abandoned building that had been vacant for two years. It’s understood he spotted a human limb protruding from a suitcase.
Fresh insights into her last days have emerged as the investigation progresses.
Local media reports suggest Lisa journeyed to Greece from Edinburgh on June 29, initially residing with friends in the town of Keratsini, on the outskirts of Athens, before meeting American acquaintances in Kypseli on July 15.
Claims have also surfaced that her mobile phone was used in an attempt to conceal her death.
Text messages were sent from her phone in the days following her death until her identity was revealed by the media.
On July 15, texts were sent to Lisa’s family asserting that she “needed some time to herself”. They continued to state that she “wanted to be alone for a while”.
A message transmitted after her death on July 18 to a Greek friend, whom she had known “for years” and had been lodging with prior to the discovery of her body, read: “I need some time – I’m going to a Greek island.”
The mobile remains missing and was active in the Athens area until approximately 24 hours ago when Lisa 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.”
A post-mortem examination is due to be conducted in the coming days. Interpol and US investigators have been brought in by the Greek authorities to help with the investigation.
Lisa is understood to have travelled to Greece on June 29 via Cyprus after arriving from the US. Officers are now interviewing anyone who may have encountered her before her death.
Two photographs 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 discovered was used by homeless people. The resident added that one man stayed there regularly but that he had not been seen for several days.
Police Scotland are liaising with authorities in Greece regarding the investigation. 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 spokesperson for the UK Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office stated: “Our thoughts are with Elisabeth’s family during this difficult time. We are providing consular support and are in contact with the local authorities.”
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