Body found in suitcase in Athens is that of 38-year-old British woman

The body found in a suitcase in an abandoned building in central Athens on 18 July has been identified as Elizabeth Jane Ross, a 38-year-old British woman. Greek police confirmed the identification eleven days after the discovery, following an appeal to international law enforcement agencies.

Ross, who was born in Scotland in 1988, had been staying in Athens with friends. Those who knew her reported seeing her for the last time on 15 July. Her arrival in Greece came on 29 June, after she had flown from the United States via Cyprus.

A homeless man discovered the suitcase in a derelict building in Kypseli, a district popular among foreign nationals in downtown Athens. Greek homicide officers initially drew a blank on local fingerprint databases and sent prints to Interpol for identification. US authorities later provided DNA evidence that led to the confirmation.

Investigation and Circumstances

Detectives cordoned off the building on Evelpidon Street as they investigated the death. Police spokesperson Konstantina Dimoglidou stated that authorities were treating the incident "as a criminal act, given how the body was found" and were examining CCTV footage to trace Ross's movements before her death.

According to local media citing postmortem results, Ross had been dead for approximately eight days before discovery. The examination revealed "no evidence" of a struggle or signs of injury. Investigators are attempting to reconstruct her journey to Greece and determine whether she travelled alone, with airlines believed to have been approached for information. Officials in Greece and Cyprus are reviewing flight logs and hotel bookings as part of the inquiry.

Greek authorities did not rule out the possibility of UK investigators joining the inquiry. The British Foreign Office said in a statement: "Our thoughts are with Elizabeth's family during this difficult time. We are providing consular support and are in contact with the local authorities."