British charity worker found dead in suitcase in Athens

Greek police have arrested a 26-year-old man in connection with the death of a British charity worker whose body was found stuffed inside a suitcase in an abandoned building in Athens.

The victim, identified as Elisabeth Jane Ross, was discovered on July 28 after a homeless man followed a foul smell into the abandoned property and noticed what appeared to be a human limb protruding from the suitcase.

The Hellenic Police said the suspect confessed during questioning and has been charged with manslaughter, robbery and weapons offences.

According to police, officers recovered a fake pistol and a knife during a search of the suspect’s home.

Investigators also alleged that the suspect used Ross’s bank cards to withdraw money after her death.

A police spokesman said digital analysis of surveillance footage linked the suspect to the case.

“Digital analysis of video footage determined the involvement of the 26-year-old foreigner, who was brought to the police headquarters on Thursday, July 30 and confessed to his actions.

“It was reported that the 26-year-old placed the body in a suitcase and transported it to the abandoned site.

“In fact, in the following days, the 26-year-old used the victim’s bank cards to withdraw money.”

Police said Ross, a Scottish national known as Lisa, regularly travelled to Athens to volunteer with local charities and was often seen speaking with homeless people in poorer areas of the city.

Investigators are examining her mobile phone after discovering it remained active following her death.

According to local media, text messages were sent from the device in an apparent attempt to make it appear that Ross was still alive. The messages reportedly said she “needed some time to herself” and “wanted to be alone for a while.”

Police told Greek media: “The phone was being used. Text messages were even sent obviously with a view to making people believe she was still alive.”

The phone was later switched off after the case began attracting international attention, investigators said.

Police said specialist forensic officers recovered fingerprints from the decomposed body, but no match was found in Greek databases.

The fingerprints were then shared with United States authorities, who identified them as belonging to the 38-year-old British citizen.

According to investigators, Ross entered Greece on June 26 and stayed at a friend’s residence in the Piraeus area until July 10, when she left for an unknown destination within the Attica region.

The investigation is continuing.