Greek police expedite toxicology tests in death of Scottish woman found in suitcase
Greek authorities are fast-tracking forensic analysis to determine how 38-year-old Elisabeth-Jane Ross died after her body was discovered in a suitcase in Athens, while British officials pledge consular support.
Greek police said they are accelerating toxicology testing to establish the cause of death of Elisabeth-Jane Ross, a 38-year-old Scottish woman whose body was found in a suitcase in an abandoned building in Athens' Kypseli district on July 18. The victim, known to family as Lisa, had traveled from Edinburgh in late June and was reported missing on July 15. Police have not yet classified the death as murder, but a post-mortem and the expedited tests are expected to yield results within days, according to spokesperson Konstantina Dimoglidou, who said the investigation cannot wait.
Investigators are also seeking to identify the American friends Lisa mentioned she was meeting in Kypseli, after she had initially stayed with Greek acquaintances in the Keratsini area west of the city. Her mobile phone continued to transmit signals and send messages for several days after her death. The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office confirmed it is providing consular assistance and is in contact with Greek authorities. Scotland's First Minister John Swinney described the case as "absolutely appalling" and said the Scottish government would support the family.