Scottish Woman Found Dead in Athens Suitcase: Someone Sent Texts From Her Phone After She Died

Greek police say they could know within days how a 38-year-old Scottish woman died after her body was found stuffed in a suitcase in an abandoned Athens building.

Elisabeth-Jane Ross, known to family as Lisa and originally from the Edinburgh area, was discovered on July 18 by a homeless man in the Kypseli district of Athens, according to the BBC. She had been missing since July 15. Police believe she died five to seven days before she was found, according to The Independent, citing The Times.

Police spokesperson Konstantina Dimoglidou told BBC Scotland News the toxicology tests have been made "a priority" and results could come "in the coming days." A post-mortem is already under way. Until those results come back, Greek authorities say they cannot confirm whether Ross's death involved foul play.

Someone kept using her phone after she died

Ross's phone stayed active for days after her death, sending messages that police believe were meant to throw off anyone looking for her, according to The Independent and Reuters.

Local Greek media reported that texts sent from her phone to family on July 15 said she "needed some time to herself" and "wanted to be alone for a while." Another message, sent to a Greek friend she'd been staying with, read: "I need some time – I'm going to a Greek island," according to the Daily Mail as cited by The Independent.

Helena Smith, The Guardian's Athens correspondent, told BBC's Reporting Scotland: "It would seem that someone had control, and I use that word very deliberately, over her mobile phone after she died, and was sending messages clearly to distract from the scent, to distract the authorities and her close friends from trying to track her down."

Reuters reported that investigators remain "puzzled" by the phone's continued activity after Ross's death, and that the device itself is still missing. The Independent reported the phone was tracked as active in the Athens area until roughly 24 hours before that report.

How she was identified

Ross's body reportedly had no identification on it when found, according to the Bicester Advertiser, which cited PA News Agency reporting. Greek police only confirmed her identity after Interpol matched fingerprint data to records from the United States, where Ross had previously worked.

She had flown from Edinburgh to Greece around June 29, according to Reuters, and initially stayed with Greek friends in Keratsini, a suburb about 5.9 miles west of central Athens. She told those friends that on July 15 she planned to go to Kypseli to meet up with American acquaintances, according to the BBC.

Greek police sources say they are now trying to identify and locate those American friends. No suspect has been named.

What police have and haven't found

A Greek police spokesperson said no evidence on the body or the suitcase itself has allowed investigators to identify a third party involved, according to the Bicester Advertiser. "No other evidence has emerged from the body or the suitcase that would allow us to identify another person," the spokesperson said. "We are awaiting the result of toxicology tests to determine the cause of death, and ascertain whether foul play was involved. The investigation is ongoing."

Reuters reported that Greek officials are also investigating "who placed the body in the suitcase and transferred it into the abandoned building," a question separate from the cause of death itself, since someone had to move her remains regardless of how she died.

Greek and Cypriot authorities are reportedly exchanging information as part of the investigation, though it's unclear from available reporting what Cyprus's specific connection to the case is.

Official response

The UK's Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office confirmed it is providing consular support to Ross's family and remains in contact with Greek authorities. Police Scotland said it is liaising with Greek police and supporting the family directly.

Scotland's First Minister John Swinney called the case "absolutely appalling" and said the family would get support from both the Scottish government and the FCDO.

None of the available reporting names a suspect or confirms a motive. Toxicology results, once released, will determine whether Greek authorities classify this as a homicide investigation or something else.