Greek police probe 'foul play' in death of woman found in suitcase

ByMary McCool

BBC Scotland

Greek police have said they are trying to determine whether foul play was involved in the death of a Scottish woman whose body was found in a suitcase.

Elisabeth-Jane Ross, 38, was found in an abandoned building in the Kypseli district of Athens on 18 July, reportedly by a homeless man.

She is believed to have died between five and seven days before she was found and is thought to have travelled to Greece from Cyprus two weeks before her death.

A spokesperson for police in Greece told the BBC: "We are awaiting the results of the toxicology tests to determine the cause of death and ascertain whether foul play was involved, as this was not clarified by the initial examination of the body."

First Minister John Swinney said Ross's family would be supported by the Scottish government and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

He said: "This is an absolutely appalling case that has been reported overnight.

"And obviously I'm deeply concerned that such a tragedy has taken place."

Helena Smith, The Guardian's correspondent in Athens, told BBC Radio Scotland that the body was found in a derelict building in downtown Athens, "in an area that is booming, full of Airbnbs".

She said: "It is very popular with people travelling through Athens and young foreigners who have elected to make the Greek capital their home."

Smith said that Ross had family in Edinburgh and "connections" to Greece - staying with a friend in Athens before she disappeared.

She added: "It would seem that someone had control over her mobile phone after she died and was sending messages to distract the authorities and close friends from trying to track her down."

On Wednesday the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) confirmed they were providing consular support and were in contact with the Greek authorities.

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."

Interpol said it was not able to comment on individual cases.

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