An Afghan boxer has been charged with homicide with intent, robbery, and illegal weapons possession in connection with the death of a Scottish aid worker whose body was discovered inside a suitcase in an abandoned Athens building in July, Greek authorities announced on Aug. 6, 2026.
Sharif Ahmadzai, 26, appeared in court on Thursday, August 6, and did not speak during the hearing or enter a plea. The charges follow an investigation into the death of Elisabeth-Jane Ross, 38, whose remains were found on July 18, 2026, in a derelict structure at 7 Evelpidon Street in the Kypseli district.
In their first public statement, Ross’ family said on August 6, 2026: “Lisa will always be remembered by us as kind, principled and selfless. Her integrity was absolute, and she dedicated her life to helping others in need. We are in deep pain, and we ask for time and privacy as we come to terms with our loss.”
Phone Activity Masked Death for Weeks
Greek investigators confirmed that Ross’ mobile phone was used to send text messages after her death in what they believe was a deliberate attempt to mislead authorities and family members into thinking she remained alive. The device only stopped transmitting after media reports of her death became widely publicized.
A Greek officer involved in the case stated: “The phone was being used. Text messages were even sent obviously with a view to making people believe she was still alive.” Guardian Athens correspondent Helena Smith, explaining what detectives believe transpired, said someone appeared to have seized control of the device following Ross’ death and sent messages intended to prevent loved ones and law enforcement from launching a search.
Volunteer Worker’s Final Weeks in Greece
Ross traveled from Edinburgh to Athens, touching down on June 26 after previously visiting Cyprus. She initially stayed with Greek friends in the Keratsini district before relocating on July 2 to Rethymnou Street, where she volunteered with a Christian-based NGO assisting refugees. She was last heard from on July 15, three days prior to a homeless man discovering her body while exploring the abandoned structure around 1 p.m.
The individual who made the discovery notified police after spotting a suitcase with what appeared to be a human limb protruding from it. Officers arrived to find Ross’ remains inside. She had no identification, but investigators determined she stood around 5 feet 4 inches in height with red hair pulled into a bun, wearing black shorts with French university insignia and a T-shirt. The distinctive clothing prompted early speculation that the victim was not a Greek national.
Her fingerprints yielded no results in Greek databases and were forwarded to Interpol. American authorities ultimately confirmed her identity using evidence connected to U.S. databases where her fingerprints had been registered. The building had stood empty for at least two years before the grim discovery.
Forensic Analysis Continues
Medical examiners ruled out strangulation and fatal head trauma, and investigators found no apparent wounds or indications of a violent confrontation at the scene. An early police estimate suggested Ross had died several days before her remains were found, though the precise timeline remains under investigation. Toxicology testing remains incomplete, and Greek police emphasized those findings will be crucial in establishing whether criminal conduct directly caused her death.
Police spokesperson Konstantia Dimoglidou told Skai TV that officials are treating the matter as a criminal investigation based on the circumstances surrounding the discovery. Detectives are canvassing local hotels to reconstruct Ross’ movements and reviewing surveillance footage from the neighborhood. Interpol and U.S. investigators have joined the inquiry.
Authorities suspect Ross may have been drawn to the vacant Kypseli building by a homeless person, and CCTV recordings from the vicinity are being examined to determine the sequence of events preceding her death.
International Response and Support
Guardian correspondent Helena Smith described Kypseli as a district that has undergone significant change in recent years. She told BBC Radio Scotland it is “very popular with people travelling through Athens and young foreigners who have elected to make the Greek capital their home,” adding that the area is filled with Airbnbs and attracts a heavily international population.
Scottish First Minister John Swinney called the case “absolutely appalling” and pledged that Ross’ family would receive support from the Scottish government working alongside the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. Britain’s diplomatic mission in Greece has been informed and is coordinating with Greek officials. Police Scotland confirmed awareness of the death and said it is liaising with Greek authorities while staying in touch with Ross’ family in Edinburgh. The FCDO stated it is delivering consular assistance and maintaining communication with Greek authorities.
A Greek officer said that finding a foreign national’s body stuffed in a suitcase in central Athens was unprecedented in the history of Greek-British relations. As investigators await toxicology reports and continue examining surveillance recordings, questions persist about who operated Ross’ phone after her death and how she ended up in the abandoned building.