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Greek police have arrested a 26-year-old Afghan national in connection with the murder of 38-year-old British woman Elisabeth Jane Ross, whose body was discovered inside a suitcase in an abandoned building in Athens last month.<\/p>\n
Ross, from Scotland, was found on July 18, 2026, wrapped in black fabric and concealed inside a large travel suitcase at a derelict property on Evelpidon Street in Kypseli. Although the advanced state of decomposition prevented forensic experts from determining the exact cause of death, investigators quickly concluded that the circumstances indicated homicide.<\/p>\n
Following an extensive investigation by the Hellenic Police\u2019s Crimes Against Life and Personal Liberty Department, authorities identified the 26-year-old suspect, who now faces charges of intentional homicide, robbery and weapons offences.<\/p>\n
Investigators determined that Ross arrived in Greece in late June and stayed at several locations before renting a ground-floor apartment in Exarchia. According to police, the accused had access to the apartment through a set of keys.<\/p>\n
Ross was last known to have contacted a friend on the evening of July 15. After that, family and friends became concerned when they continued receiving text messages that appeared uncharacteristic of her writing style, raising suspicions that someone else was using her phone.<\/p>\n
Analysis of mobile phone data and CCTV footage allegedly showed the suspect transporting a large suitcase from the Exarchia apartment to the abandoned building in Kypseli on the night of July 16. Minutes later, he was captured leaving the area carrying only a backpack.<\/p>\n
Police said the suspect\u2019s wife also provided key evidence. She told investigators that a location-sharing application showed her husband at Ross\u2019s apartment during the night of July 15\u201316. After Ross\u2019s identity became public, she reportedly suspected her husband\u2019s involvement, left the family home with their child, and handed police a mobile phone and \u20ac2,550 in cash that she believed may have belonged to the victim.<\/p>\n
During questioning, the suspect allegedly claimed he found Ross dead in the apartment bathroom before placing her body in a suitcase and disposing of it the following night. However, police allege he later admitted using the victim\u2019s mobile phone to impersonate her in messages sent to relatives and friends, while also withdrawing money using her bank cards.<\/p>\n
A search of the suspect\u2019s home on August 1 uncovered a replica Glock-style pistol and a military-style knife, leading to additional weapons charges.<\/p>\n
Police said forensic specialists were able to recover usable fingerprints from the victim despite the advanced decomposition of the body. Through Interpol and international cooperation, the fingerprints were matched to Ross, a British citizen from Scotland.<\/p>\n
The investigation also involved close cooperation with the United Kingdom\u2019s National Crime Agency (NCA) and Police Scotland.<\/p>\n
The suspect has been referred to the competent prosecuting authority to face the charges.<\/p>\n