Family in 'deep pain' after murdered 'selfless' Scottish missionary found in suitcase in Athens

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The family of a Scottish missionary is in “deep pain” after she was found murdered inside a suitcase in Athens
The man accused of killing Elisabeth Jane Ross appeared in court on Thursday and entered no plea
Sharif Ahmadzai, 26, appeared before an investigative judge and was remanded in custody
Ahmadzai’s lawyer requested access to Ms Ross’ medical records during the hearing
Ms Ross, 38, from Edinburgh, was found dead inside an abandoned building in the Kypseli district of the Greek capital on July 18

The family of a “selfless” Scottish missionary is in “deep pain” after she was found murdered inside a suitcase in Athens.

Elisabeth Jane Ross, also known as Lisa, was found dead by a homeless man in an abandoned building in the Kypseli district of the Greek capital on Saturday, July 18.

STV News understands a coroner has determined that the Edinburgh-born charity worker’s most likely cause of death was suffocation.

Ms Ross had arrived in Greece after travelling from Edinburgh on June 26.

Her family say that she “dedicated her life to helping others in need”.

“Lisa will always be remembered by us as kind, principled and selfless,” they said.

“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.”

Afghan boxer charged with murdering Scottish woman

Sharif Ahmadzai, 26, is accused of killing Elisabeth Jane Ross, 38, in the Greek capital
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Sharif Ahmadzai, a champion boxer originally from Afghanistan, has been charged with intentional homicide, robbery and weapons offences. He denies killing Ms Ross and claims he found her on the bathroom floor.

On Thursday, he appeared at the Court of First Instance in the Greek capital.

During the brief hearing before an investigating judge, the 26-year-old made no plea. The judge ruled that he should be remanded in custody.

Ahmadzai’s lawyer, Christos Erdas, requested access to Elisabeth Jane Ross’ medical records.

Sharif Ahmadzai lives in Athens with his American-born wife, Alaina Hall, and their young child. Facebook

He left surrounded by police wearing balaclavas and was bundled into the car and driven away.

The court complex is located on the city’s Evelpidon Street, just a few minutes’ walk from where Ms Ross’ body was found.

Ahmadzai admitted to police to moving her body. CCTV appears to show him carrying a large suitcase, which police believe contained Ms Ross.

STV News understands that his American-born wife, Alaina Hall, provided testimony that Ahmadzai confessed to the killing.

It is alleged that the boxer, who also runs a charity with his partner, sent a series of messages from her phone to her friends and family before switching off the device.

He is then said to have bought another phone and texted her friends in Athens, including his wife, impersonating an unnamed jihadist saying he had killed the Scot because of her religion.

Investigators believe the crime was carried out for financial reasons, and there was no religious motive.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office said earlier: “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 previously 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.”