The body of 38-year-old Elizabeth Jane Ross, from Scotland, was found stuffed inside a suitcase and dumped at a derelict building in Athens, Greece
The woman has been named as Elizabeth Jane Ross(Image: cretalive.gr)
A Scottish woman has been found dead inside a suitcase dumped at an abandoned building in Greece, with police revealing her phone was used in an apparent attempt to cover up her death.
The remains of 38-year-old Elizabeth Jane Ross were discovered by a homeless man in the Kypseli neighbourhood of Athens at around 1pm on July 18.
The man is understood to have seen a human limb from outside the suitcase after noticing a foul smell at 7 Evelpidon Street – a derelict building which had been unoccupied for two years.
It has been claimed that Elizabeth’s phone was being used up until her identity was made public by the media, with Greek police now treating the building as a crime scene, reports the Daily Mail.
“The phone was being used,” one Greek officer said. “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.”
Elizabeth, who is thought to have been born in Scotland, had been dead for approximately eight days.
No visible wounds of any clear signs of struggle were found on her body, according to police.
Greek news outlet Cretalive released two images of Elizabeth following the shocking discovery.
Officers attended the scene and were initially unable to identify Elizabeth because she had no identification on her.
She is believed to be around 5ft 4in tall with reddish hair tied in a bun and was dressed in a T-shirt and black shorts with a French university insignia on them.
An autopsy is due to be carried out in the coming days, reports the Daily Record.
Greek authorities have called in Interpol and US investigators to assist with the probe.
Elizabeth’s remains were discovered in an abandoned building(Image: cretalive.gr)
On Monday, Interpol notified the Hellenic Police that DNA testing revealed that the body belonged to a British woman.
Elizabeth is said 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 into contact with her before her death, as well as trying to find out her final movements.
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.”
An FCDO Spokesperson said: “Our thoughts are with Elizabeth’s family during this difficult time. We are providing consular support and are in contact with the local authorities.”
