Greek police believe the final text messages sent from the phone of Elisabeth Jane Ross, a British woman whose body was found in a suitcase in Athens, were an attempted cover-up by her killers. The 38-year-old from Scotland was discovered dead in the Kypseli district on Saturday.
Texts sent to family
Investigators say the final messages from Ross's phone to her family claimed she 'needed some time to herself' and 'wanted to be alone for a while'. However, detectives suspect the texts were sent by her murderers to delay discovery of her death. Her phone remains missing but was active at the same time her death was publicly confirmed.
Police investigation
Police told Greek media: 'The phone was being used. Text messages were even sent obviously with a view to making people believe she was still alive.' They added: 'The suitcase did not belong to the victim, as she did not have any large luggage with her. This means that it is possible that genetic material or fingerprints will be found in the suitcase that will help the authorities find the perpetrator or perpetrators.'
A homeless man found Ross's body after following a 'bad smell' into an empty building and seeing something that 'looked like a human limb' coming out of a suitcase.
Timeline of events
Ross had flown from America to Greece on June 29 and was staying with friends in Athens. Police believe she was killed on July 15. Her father has been informed, and detectives are tracing her last known movements and associates.
Official responses
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: 'We are aware of the death of a Scottish woman in Athens and are liaising with authorities in Greece. Officers are providing support to her family in Scotland.' An FCDO spokesperson added: 'Our thoughts are with Elisabeth's family during this difficult time. We are providing consular support and are in contact with the local authorities.'
