Body of a woman found inside a suitcase in central Athens

The suitcase was discovered on July 18 in a derelict building on Evelpidon Street, in the Kypseli district of Athens. According to reports, a homeless person who entered the structure noticed a strong odor emanating from a suitcase, inside of which was the woman's body wrapped in cloth and a trash bag. Police have launched a criminal investigation due to the manner in which the body was concealed.

The woman was identified in British media as Elizabeth-Jane Ross, originally from Scotland. Greek police initially provided only her citizenship, age, and year of birth. Her identity was confirmed after Greece transmitted her fingerprints via Interpol, and authorities in the United States provided information that led to the identification.

According to investigators, Ross arrived in Greece on June 29, having flown from the United States via Cyprus. Police are checking passenger lists, hotel and apartment bookings, phone data, and security camera footage to determine if she arrived alone. Investigators are also attempting to discover if she worked in Greece and who her last contacts were.

Findings published in Greek media indicate the woman died approximately eight days before the suitcase was found. No gunshot wounds, stab wounds, or clear external signs of a struggle were discovered on her body, and the cause of death remains unknown. The lack of identification documents, tattoos, or prominent marks initially hindered the investigation.

Some reports suggested that the woman may have been brought to the building by someone she knew, but police have not yet announced a suspect. A Greek police spokesperson denied that any homeless person had been identified as a suspect, contrary to speculation in some media outlets. Authorities in the UK are assisting her family and remain in contact with Greek investigators.