The body of a 38-year-old Scottish woman, identified as Elizabeth Jane Ross, was discovered stuffed inside a suitcase in an abandoned building in Athens, Greece, prompting a police investigation into her mysterious death.
Ross, who had been traveling and was staying with friends in Athens, was identified by Greece’s state broadcasting service ERT. A local homeless man alerted authorities to the suitcase on July 18 after finding it in the Kypseli neighborhood, a popular area for travelers. Police believe Ross may have died up to eight days before her body was found. She had arrived in Athens on June 29, having previously visited Cyprus, and her friends last reported seeing her on July 15.
While investigators found no immediate signs of struggle or injury, Greek police spokeswoman Konstantina Dimoglidou stated that the circumstances of the discovery mean her death is being treated as a criminal act. The exact cause of death is uncertain pending results from the medical examiner.
Police have lifted fingerprints from the scene and sent them to Interpol. According to The Guardian, U.S. authorities have also provided DNA evidence based on information released by local police. Investigators are reviewing surveillance footage in the area to reconstruct Ross’s final hours.
Helena Smith, a reporter for The Guardian, told BBC Radio Scotland that there is a possibility someone may have attempted to use Ross’s cell phone to mislead authorities. "It would seem that someone had control over her mobile phone after she died and was sending messages to distract the authorities and close friends from trying to track her down," Smith said. Police Scotland confirmed they are aware of the incident and are in communication with Greek authorities.