The short version
- A 26-year-old Afghan man confessed to killing Elisabeth-Jane Ross after police traced credit card usage.
- Ross's body was found wrapped in cloth inside a suitcase in an abandoned building in Kypseli.
- Investigators are working with UK agencies to determine the exact circumstances of her death.
Greek authorities have arrested a 26-year-old Afghan national in connection with the death of Elisabeth-Jane Ross, a Scottish charity worker. Her body was discovered on July 18 inside a suitcase in a derelict building in the Kypseli district of Athens. Police stated that the suspect confessed to the crime after investigators traced unauthorized withdrawals made using Ross’s credit cards at various ATMs.
Ross had been in Greece for nearly three weeks before her death. She initially stayed with friends in Keratsini before moving to an apartment in Exarchia. The suspect was found in possession of keys to this rental unit and is alleged to have placed the body in the suitcase and transported it to the abandoned site. A criminal file has been opened charging him with intentional homicide, robbery, and illegal weapons possession.
Greek police are collaborating with the UK’s National Crime Agency and Police Scotland on the investigation. While an initial postmortem showed no obvious signs of struggle or injury, the cause of death remains unclear. Media reports suggest the suspect claimed to have found Ross already deceased in her bathroom. The case highlights challenges in tracking victims who move frequently and use digital communication that may mislead investigators.
Sources behind this briefing
Go to the original reporting
- The Guardian World↗Man arrested after Scottish woman found dead inside suitcase in Athens
