Body found in suitcase in Athens is that of 38-year-old British woman

by | Jul 29, 2026 | Top Stories

Body found in suitcase in Athens is that of 38-year-old British woman

Greek police have identified a body discovered in a suitcase within an abandoned structure in central Athens as belonging to a 38-year-old British national. The identification came approximately eleven days after the initial discovery, following coordination with international law enforcement agencies. According to authorities, the victim was born in Scotland in 1988 and has been named as Elizabeth Jane Ross.

Ross had been residing in Athens with acquaintances who reported last observing her on July 15. The body was located in a derelict building in the Kypseli district, a neighborhood with a significant foreign resident population, after a homeless individual discovered the suitcase on July 18. Investigators determined that Ross had traveled to Greece from Cyprus, arriving in the country on June 29 after flying from the United States. Her mobile device remained functional until her identification was made public, adding an unusual element to the case.

Police have classified the incident as a criminal matter given the circumstances surrounding how the body was found. Greek homicide detectives submitted fingerprints to Interpol after receiving no matches within domestic databases, and American authorities contributed DNA evidence that aided in the identification. A postmortem examination suggested Ross had been deceased for approximately eight days prior to discovery, with no indicators of violent struggle or visible injuries noted.

Investigative efforts have expanded to include examination of security camera footage to track Ross’s movements before her death. Authorities are also consulting with airlines and reviewing flight records and hotel bookings across Greece and Cyprus to establish the details of her travel and whether she journeyed alone. Greek officials have not excluded the possibility of United Kingdom investigators joining the inquiry. The British embassy confirmed awareness of the situation but declined additional comment.

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