Greek authorities are investigating a series of unusual Facebook messages and phone activity that occurred after the death of Elisabeth-Jane Ross, a 38-year-old Scottish woman whose body was discovered in a suitcase in Athens on July 18.
Investigators are particularly focused on messages sent from Ross's phone and posted on her Facebook page following her estimated time of death. Some messages, sent between July 15 and July 29, suggested she was taking time for herself and intended to travel to a Greek island or Turkey. One lengthy Facebook post, dated July 24, detailed a spiritual calling to serve in Turkey, a post her friends say was out of character and nonsensical given her disappearance.
Ross, from Edinburgh, had been in Greece since June 26, working with abused women and migrants. She was staying with Greek friends in the Keratsini district before telling them on July 15 that she was going to stay with American friends in Kypseli, a central Athens neighborhood. Police have cleared her Greek friends of any wrongdoing and are now attempting to locate these American acquaintances. One theory being explored is that these American friends may not exist, and Ross mentioned them to reassure her existing contacts.
A homeless man discovered Ross's body in a derelict parking lot in the Kypseli suburb of Athens, drawn by a foul odor. The body was in a suitcase and in a state of decomposition. An initial examination revealed no visible injuries or tattoos. Her identity was later confirmed through fingerprints and DNA shared with Interpol.
Police have identified a homeless man known as 'Markos' as a suspect. He is described as around 40 years old, stocky, with black hair and heavily tattooed, and is known to have regularly slept in the derelict building where the suitcase was found. He has not been seen since the discovery of the body.
Authorities are working to reconstruct Ross's movements in the 72 hours before her body was found. The investigation is also examining whether drugs or toxic substances played a role in her death, as initial forensic examinations ruled out strangulation and fatal head injuries. Police Scotland confirmed they are liaising with Greek authorities and providing support to Ross's family.