Family of the British woman found dead in a suitcase in Athens pay tribute to 'loving and kind young lady'
The family of a woman who was found dead inside a suitcase in Greece have paid tribute to the ‘loving’ and ‘kind’ 38-year-old.
Elisabeth Jane Ross, from Scotland, had initially been staying with friends in Athens, but was last seen on 15 July.
On Saturday 18 July, a homeless man alerted the authorities after discovering Ross’ remains inside a suitcase in an abandoned building in the Kypseli neighbourhood.
Her aunt Anne Bangham has since paid tribute to her niece, saying the family ‘can’t believe’ what has happened.
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“It is horrific. We just can't believe it. She was such a beautiful, loving and kind young lady,” she wrote.
“I wish I could get my hands on whoever did it. She had not long arrived there to work. It will take a while to sink in.”
Her cause of death has not yet been determined, as Greek police work to find out what happened in the days prior to the discovery of her body.
In an update this week, cops told the Daily Mail that a phone belonging to Ross had still been active days after her death.
On 15 July text messages were sent to Ross' family claiming that Elizabeth 'needed some time to herself' and she 'wanted to be alone for a while'.
A Greek police officer said: "The phone was being used. Text messages were even sent obviously with a view to making people believe she was still alive.
"We are treating the building as a crime scene.”
Investigators have also said that the suitcase the woman's body was found in did not belong to her as the 38-year-old was not bringing large luggage on her travels.
Police are now piecing together the details of her movements, as it was revealed that Ross had travelled from the US to Europe on 29 June and then travelled from Cyprus to Greece before her death.
Officials have requested passenger information from the airline Ross used to fly to Greece to determine if she had been travelling alone or with others.
If they find out the precise dates and times of her journeys they may be able to pick up the trail on more of her movements, and they are looking into CCTV footage and potential witnesses who could also provide information on her final moments of life.
A spokesman for Greek police told the Daily Mail: “No other evidence has emerged from the body or the suitcase that would allow us to identify another person.
“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.”
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office said: “Our thoughts are with Elisabeth's family during this difficult time. We are providing consular support and are in contact with the local authorities.”
Greek officials did not rule out UK investigators joining the inquiry.
A Police Scotland spokesman said: “We are aware of the death of a Scottish woman in Athens and are liaising with authorities in Greece.
“Officers are providing support to her family in Scotland.”
LADbible Group have contacted Greek police for further comment.
Claire Reid