A British woman who was reportedly seen befriending homeless individuals in Athens was found dead inside a suitcase on July 18. Police are investigating the possibility that Elizabeth-Jane Ross, 38, was killed by someone she was trying to help.
Ross, from Edinburgh, was discovered by a homeless man in an abandoned car park in the Kypseli district. Locals reported seeing her speaking with homeless people in the vicinity of the derelict site where she was found. She had a history of charitable work, having traveled internationally to assist vulnerable groups, including Syrian refugees in Kurdistan and abused women and migrants in Greece.
She had been visiting Greece for approximately seven years, and authorities believe she may have been in the Kypseli area for compassionate reasons linked to her faith. Ross, described as a committed Christian, arrived in Athens from Edinburgh on June 26 and was staying with friends in the Keratsini district. She informed her friends on July 15 that she was going to Kypseli, a more central part of the city. Her body was found 72 hours later.
Manhunt Underway
Greek police are actively searching for a homeless man known as 'Markos,' who frequents the Kypseli district. Markos is described as being around 40 years old, heavily tattooed, with black hair and a stocky build. He is known to carry a knife and has a reputation for aggression, particularly towards women. He regularly slept rough in the area where Ross's body was discovered and has not been seen since her death, prompting a citywide manhunt.
Police believe Ross was killed by someone she knew, but the extent of any relationship remains unclear. Investigators are also examining whether the perpetrator sent messages from Ross's phone and posted on her Facebook page after her death in an attempt to conceal the crime. Her father, a lawyer from Edinburgh, reported receiving messages from her phone between July 15 and July 29.
Investigators believe Ross's body was transported to the abandoned building on July 17. Given the weight of the suitcase, it is thought the individual or individuals responsible likely resided in or near Kypseli. The discovery was made when a homeless man noticed the suitcase and attempted to open it, leading to a leg protruding from the bag.
Cause of Death Unconfirmed
The cause of Ross's death has not yet been confirmed. An initial examination of the body revealed no obvious wounds or signs of struggle, and reports indicate that strangulation and head injuries have been ruled out.