Greek police fast-track toxicology tests after Edinburgh woman Elisabeth Jane Ross found dead in suitcase
The body of 38-year-old Elisabeth Jane Ross was found inside a suitcase in an abandoned building in Athens last month
Greek authorities are reportedly fast-tracking the investigation into the death of Edinburgh woman Elisabeth Jane Ross after her body was found in a suitcase in Athens.
The 38-year-old woman’s body was found inside a suitcase in a derelict building in the Kypseli district of the Greek capital on July 18.
Ms Ross, from Edinburgh, went missing on July 15 after having flown to Greece in late June.
Greek police previously said that it was undertaking toxicology test to determine Ms Ross’s cause of death and “ascertain whether foul play was involved, as this was not clarified by the initial examination of the body."
While toxicology tests can normally take anywhere from a few weeks to a number of months depending on workload and details of each case, cops have confirmed that they are fast-tracking the process to aid the investigation further.
Greek police spokesman Konstantina Dimoglidou told BBC Scotland News: "We have made it a priority so we can have results in the coming days.
"Then we will know how she died. This can't wait."
Police are also attempting to track down American friends of Ms Ross who she reportedly went to stay with after arriving in the Kypseli district of Athens.
She had previously stayed with Greek friends in Keratsini until July 15, when she informed them that she would be moving on to Kypseli to stay with another friends.
Ms Ross’s mobile phone also reportedly remained in use until the moment she was publicly identified as the individual found inside the suitcase, with her father among those receiving messages purporting to be her.
Ms Dimoglidou added: “There is always the possibility that she died and then for some reason was hidden. Our priority is to get to the bottom of who left the suitcase. Whoever they were was careful not to leave any fingerprints or DNA.”
Her body was identified after Interpol examined fingerprint data and matched it to record from the USA, where Ms Ross had previously worked.
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office said: “Our thoughts are with Elisabeth’s family during this difficult time. We are providing consular support and are in contact with the local authorities.”
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.”