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Body in Suitcase
Greek authorities arrested a 26-year-old Afghan national in connection with the death of Scottish charity worker Elisabeth-Jane Ross, whose body was found in a suitcase in an abandoned building in central Athens.
“various arms – some real, some fake”
The Guardian reported that police said a criminal file was opened against the suspect for intentional homicide, robbery and violation of the law regarding weapons, and that “various arms – some real, some fake” were discovered in the suspect’s home.
BBC said Greek police brought the man to police headquarters on Thursday where he “confessed to his actions,” and that he transported Ross’s body to the abandoned site in the Kypseli district in a suitcase.
STV News said Ross, also known as Lisa, was found dead inside a suitcase by a homeless man in Kypseli on Saturday, July 18, after she had been staying with friends in Keratsini.
The BBC added that Ross arrived in Greece on 26 June and stayed in the Piraeus area until 10 July, when she left for an unknown destination in Attica.
Charges and Cooperation
Police said the suspect was arrested on suspicion of manslaughter, robbery and weapons offences, while the Guardian described accusations including intentional homicide, robbery and violation of the law regarding weapons.
The Guardian said Greek authorities worked closely with the UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA) and Police Scotland, and that the homicide division announced the case after evidence that the Afghan had “placed the body in the case and carried it to the abandoned car park” in Kypseli.
STV News reported that a Police Scotland spokesperson said, “Officers are providing support to her family in Scotland,” as Greek police said the investigation involved the National Crime Agency, Police Scotland and authorities in the United States.
BBC reported that First Minister John Swinney called it an “absolutely appalling case,” and that Scottish government officials said they were in communication with the family and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.
The Independent said Greek police analysed video footage to identify the suspect, who confessed on Thursday, and that a replica pistol and a knife were found at the suspect’s home.
Cause of Death at Risk
Investigators said it remains unknown how Ross died, and BBC reported that police were fast-tracking toxicology reports to ascertain the cause of her death, potentially “in the coming days.”
“in the coming days”
The Guardian said an initial on-site postmortem showed there were no evident signs of injury or struggle on Ross’s body but proved inconclusive because of advanced decomposition, and it quoted Grigoris Leon saying examination of the lungs and eyes would help determine “whether she had died a natural death.”
BBC said police were also looking to trace Ross’s “American friends” or acquaintances who they said were also staying in Kypseli, as the investigation continued after the suspect’s confession.
The Independent reported that Ross was believed to have died between five and seven days before she was found, while the BBC said she was found in the Kypseli district of Athens on 18 July days after she was reported missing.
STV News said Greek police confirmed Ross travelled from the UK on June 29, and that officers said the man placed Ross’s body in the suitcase and transported it to the abandoned site in Kypseli before using her bank cards to withdraw money.
