Greek authorities have identified a primary suspect in the case of a Scottish woman who was discovered deceased in a suitcase. The body of Elisabeth-Jane Ross, known as Lisa, aged 38, was found in an abandoned car park in Kypseli, Athens, by a homeless individual on July 18. Despite the absence of visible injuries or signs of a struggle, the circumstances surrounding her death remain enigmatic as investigators delve into the matter.
The police in Greece suspect that Elisabeth, hailing from Edinburgh, may have passed away approximately eight days prior to the discovery. They are now on the lookout for an individual named ‘Markos,’ a homeless man known to frequent the area where the British woman’s body was found. Described as a drug user and heavy drinker in his 40s, Markos is recognized for his aggressive behavior and extensive tattoo coverage. Authorities have launched a search across Athens for him as he has not been seen in the vicinity since the location was designated a crime scene.
According to reports, a Greek police source indicated, “We have a lead on a homeless man. We want to question a particular individual, but we are also looking for a number of other people as part of this investigation.”
Following the grim discovery of Lisa’s body, it was disclosed that messages were sent from her phone posthumously until she was identified by the media. Lisa had traveled to Greece on June 29 via Cyprus from the US and had been residing in the Keratsini area of Athens with Greek acquaintances. These friends, who have been cleared of any suspicion, were informed by Lisa that she intended to visit “American friends” in Kypseli.
The Greek authorities are actively working to identify these purported “American friends” while awaiting the results of toxicology tests. A police spokesperson stated, “We do not yet know who the people she visited (in Kypseli) are, nor whether they are Americans or if they even exist. We are trying to find out where she went and who she stayed with.”
Police Scotland confirmed their awareness of the Scottish woman’s demise in Athens and are cooperating with the Greek authorities. They are providing support to Lisa’s family in Scotland during this challenging time.
It is believed that Lisa had been a frequent visitor to Greece over seven years, actively involved with various NGOs supporting vulnerable social groups such as abused women and migrants. Her presence in the area might have been motivated by compassion towards Greece’s homeless population, aligned with her Christian faith.