Lisa Jane Ross was found dead inside a suitcase at a derelict building in Athens before police revealed her phone was being used in an attempt to cover up her death
A Scottish woman whose body was stuffed inside a suitcase and dumped at a derelict building in Greece has been remembered as a “kind soul”.
Elisabeth Jane Ross, also known as Lisa, was found by a homeless man in the neighbourhood of Kypseli, Athens, around 1pm on July 18.
Police said texts were sent from the 38-year-old’s mobile phone in the days after her death up until she was identified by media.
Lisa’s father, from Edinburgh, is believed to have been receiving messages from July 15 to 29 – almost 10 days after she was discovered.
Greek police said there were no visible wounds of any clear signs of struggle on Lisa’s body, and that she had been dead for approximately eight days.
Detectives are now trying to establish whether Ms Ross’s death was the result of a “criminal act”, with a police spokesperson confirming toxicology tests are being carried out.
The spokesperson said there was no evidence on either the body or the suitcase that would enable them to identify a third party, reports the Daily Record.
Heartbroken friends and family have since paid tribute to Lisa on social media, describing her as having a “beautiful heart.”
Pauline Hood wrote: “I am totally devastated. One of the kindest souls I’ve ever met. Lisa would have done anything for anyone.
“She went that extra mile. She had a beautiful heart. I’ve got a lot of good memories of Lisa. Thinking of her friends and family at this most difficult time.”
Jem Wren said: “Lisa was a lovely girl, I went to school with her. I just can’t believe someone could do this to another person. Bless her and her family. RIP.”
Anne Morrison added: “I hope they find out who did this! Sending condolences to Lisa’s family and friends!”
Ms Ross couldn’t initially be identified by police at the scene because she reportedly had no identification on her.
She was described as being around 30 years old, 5ft 4in tall, with reddish hair tied in a bun.
Lisa was wearing a T-shirt and black shorts with a French university insignia on them when she was discovered.
The rough sleeper who found her is understood to have seen a human limb from outside the suitcase after noticing a foul smell at 7 Evelpidon Street – a derelict building which had been unoccupied for two years.
According to local media, Ms Ross had travelled to Greece from Edinburgh on June 29, and initially stayed with friends in the town of Keratsini, in the suburbs of Athens, before meeting American friends in Kypseli on July 15.
On July 15, texts were sent to Ross’ family claiming that Elizabeth “needed some time to herself”. They went on to say that she “wanted to be alone for a while”.
A message sent after her death on July 18 to a Greek friend, who she had known “for years” and had been staying with before her body was found, said: “I need some time – I’m going to a Greek island.”
The phone remains missing and was active in the Athens area until around 24 hours ago when Elisabeth was formally identified. It’s believed that her father, from Edinburgh, had been receiving messages from July 15 to 29.
A Greek 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.”
An autopsy is due to be carried out in the coming days.
Interpol and US investigators have been called in by the Greek authorities to assist with the probe.
Lisa is understood to have travelled to Greece on June 29 via Cyprus after coming from the US.
One local who lives near the scene previously told Greek media outlets the building where Elisabeth’s body was found was used by rough sleepers. The resident added that one man stayed there regularly but that he had not been seen for a number of days.
Police Scotland are in contact with authorities in Greece regarding the investigation.
Officers are also providing support to her family in Scotland. No suspect has been identified at this time.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “We are aware of the death of Scottish woman in Athens and are liaising with authorities in Greece. Officers are providing support to her family in Scotland.”
A UK Foreign Office spokesperson 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.”