New evidence is deepening the mystery surrounding the death of 38-year-old Scottish woman Elizabeth Jane Ross, whose body was discovered on July 18 inside a suitcase in an abandoned building in Kypseli, Athens. According to Greek police authorities, forensic examination of the suitcase yielded no useful results, as neither fingerprints nor DNA traces were found on its exterior surface — a finding that strengthens the theory that the perpetrator or perpetrators took exceptional precautions to avoid leaving any evidence, as reported by the Daily Mail.
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Greek Police spokeswoman Konstantina Dimoglidou stated that investigators’ primary objective is to determine who transported and left the suitcase at the location where it was found. “Whoever left the suitcase was extremely careful not to leave any fingerprints or genetic material. The entire Homicide Division is working intensively to solve this case, and we are cooperating with other law enforcement agencies. We are confident the case will be solved,” she said.
Meanwhile, forensic experts continue to investigate the exact cause of death of the 38-year-old. According to information available so far, no visible wounds or signs of violence were found on the body, while laboratory test results are expected in the coming days and are considered crucial to the direction of the investigation.
The discovery of the body in Kypseli and the homeless man known as “Markos”
The woman’s body was discovered by a homeless man in an abandoned building in the Kypseli neighborhood of Athens. He alerted authorities after noticing a strong odor and seeing a human limb protruding from the suitcase.
Police are also searching for another homeless man known by the first name “Markos,” who is believed to have been living in the same building with a friend. According to reports, this individual had previously been involved in a knife attack against a woman and has not been seen since the case became public.
Messages sent from her phone after her death
Particularly significant is the use of Elizabeth Ross’s mobile phone following her death. Investigators established that for approximately eleven days after she died, messages were being sent to her friends and to her father — a lawyer based in Edinburgh. The messages stated that she wished to be left alone and suggested she might be heading to a Greek island to get away from it all.
Police believe that whoever had possession of her phone was attempting to delay concern among her relatives and friends, or to reassure them so they would not immediately realize she was in danger.
Her final movements in Greece
Ross traveled from Edinburgh to Athens on June 29. According to police sources, she was a frequent visitor to Greece, where she volunteered with non-governmental organizations and supported women who had experienced abuse. She is also reported to have previously worked in both the United States and South Africa.
During her final visit, she stayed with friends in Keratsini. On July 15, she informed them that she was planning to go to Kypseli to meet American friends. However, Greek authorities have so far been unable to locate these individuals.
Doubts over the existence of the “American friends”
Greek authorities have conducted extensive searches to identify the people the 38-year-old had mentioned to a couple she knew in Keratsini, but have so far found no trace of them whatsoever. If they were genuine friends, they would have already come forward and contacted authorities after her disappearance and identity were made public, according to information cited by the Daily Mail.
Greek and Scottish police authorities continue to collaborate on the case, which remains fully active, with investigations focusing on identifying the person who left the suitcase and on reconstructing the final days of Elizabeth Jane Ross’s life.
