Greek police are fast-tracking toxicology tests after the body of 38-year-old Elisabeth-Jane "Lisa" Ross was found inside a suitcase in an abandoned building in Kypseli, Athens, on 18 July. Lisa, who travelled from Edinburgh in late June, was reported missing on 15 July. Authorities are trying to trace American acquaintances she was reportedly due to meet and say Lisa's phone transmitted signals days after her death. The FCDO and Scottish authorities are providing consular and family support while the post-mortem and forensic inquiries continue.
Greek Police Fast-Track Toxicology After Scottish Woman Found Dead in Suitcase in Athens
A photo of Elisabeth-Jane Ross which appeared to have been taken in 2015 [Facebook]
Greek investigators have said they are expediting toxicology tests after the body of a 38-year-old Scottish woman was discovered inside a suitcase in an abandoned building in the Kypseli district of Athens.
Lisa's body was found in an abandoned building in the Kypseli district of Athens [Reuters]
Elisabeth-Jane "Lisa" Ross was found on 18 July, reportedly by a homeless man. Relatives say Lisa had travelled from Edinburgh to Greece in late June and was reported missing on 15 July.
The exterior of building in the Kypseli where the discovery was made [Reuters]
Police have not yet classified the death as a homicide. A post-mortem examination is under way, and officials say the results of toxicology analyses will be crucial to determine whether foul play was involved. While such tests can sometimes take weeks or months, investigators have prioritised this case to obtain results "in the coming days," police spokesperson Konstantina Dimoglidou told BBC Scotland.
Lisa was due to contact American friends in the Kypseli district of Athens [BBC]
What investigators say
Authorities are also working to identify a group of American acquaintances whom Lisa was reportedly due to meet in Kypseli. Police say Lisa had been staying with Greek friends in Keratsini, about 9.5 km (5.9 miles) west of central Athens, and had told them she planned to travel to Kypseli on 15 July.
Investigators noted that Lisa's mobile phone continued to transmit a signal and sent some messages for several days after her death, a detail officials say is part of the ongoing inquiries.
Consular and local support
The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has confirmed it is providing consular assistance and is in contact with Greek authorities. Scotland's First Minister John Swinney described the case as "an absolutely appalling case" and said the Scottish government, the FCDO and Police Scotland are offering support to Lisa's family.
Police have appealed for witnesses or anyone with information about Lisa's movements in Athens between late June and mid-July to come forward to Greek authorities.
This investigation remains active, and authorities say they will release further details as toxicology and forensic results become available.
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