Greek police have revealed that the outside of the suitcase containing the body of Elisabeth Jane Ross, a Scottish woman found in Athens, yielded no fingerprints or DNA evidence. The discovery has deepened the mystery surrounding her death.
Ross, 38, from Edinburgh, was found inside a suitcase in a derelict building in the Kypseli area of Athens on July 18. She had traveled to Greece approximately three weeks prior. Authorities had hoped the suitcase would provide crucial forensic clues, but the lack of evidence from its exterior has complicated the investigation.
"Whoever they were was careful not to leave fingerprints or DNA," said Konstantina Dimoglidou, a spokeswoman for the Greek police. She added that the homicide division of the Greek FBI is working on the case, with contact made to other international police forces, including Police Scotland, who have interviewed friends of Ms. Ross in Inverness. Experts are still working to determine the exact cause of death, as her body reportedly showed no obvious physical injuries.
A homeless man discovered the body after reporting a foul smell and a limb protruding from the suitcase. Police are now searching for another homeless individual named Markos, who reportedly lived in the building and is alleged to have previously attacked a woman. He has not been seen since Ms. Ross's body was found.
Investigators are also examining Ms. Ross's phone activity. Messages were sent to her friends and father, who lives in Edinburgh, for 11 days after her death until her identification on July 29. These messages, reportedly stating she wished to be "alone" or was going to a Greek island for solitude, are believed to have been sent by whoever possessed the phone to delay suspicion.
Ms. Ross flew from Edinburgh to Athens on June 29. According to a police source, she frequently traveled to Greece to volunteer with non-governmental organizations and assist abused women. She had also reportedly worked in the U.S. and South Africa.
During her most recent visit, she stayed with Greek friends in Keratsini. She informed them she planned to stay with American friends in Kypseli on July 15 before departing. However, police have been unable to locate these alleged American friends, and a local officer expressed doubt about their existence, noting that true friends would have come forward by now.
