Family remembers Scottish aid worker found dead in Athens suitcase

Greek police say an Afghan boxer, 26-year-old Sharif Ahmadzai, transported the body of Scottish aid worker Elisabeth "Lisa" Ross in a suitcase to an abandoned building in Athens' Kypseli district, where she was found on 18 July. Ross, who had been volunteering with a refugee-support group, arrived in Greece on 26 June and stayed with friends in the Piraeus area until 10 July. Authorities allege Ahmadzai used Ross's bank cards to withdraw cash after the murder and have charged him with homicide with intent, a charge comparable to murder in the United Kingdom.

Ross's family issued a statement asking for privacy while they grieve, describing her as "kind, principled and selfless" and noting her lifelong dedication to helping others. Friends and her church in Edinburgh also paid tribute, highlighting her commitment to refugee assistance and her frequent travel to support missionary work.

"Lisa will always be remembered for her unstoppable passion to help those who were less fortunate than herself," a statement from Destiny Church in Edinburgh read.

"I am shocked and in deep pain," said Magali Tassone, a longtime friend who studied with Ross at Youth With A Mission in Switzerland. Tassone recalled Ross's compassion for refugees and women experiencing abuse, adding that she often put others' needs before her own.

The investigation continues as authorities examine the circumstances surrounding Ross's disappearance and death.