Key facts
- A 26-year-old Afghan man, Sharif Ahmadzai, has been accused of intentional homicide in the death of Scottish charity worker Elisabeth-Jane Ross.
- Ross's body was discovered in a suitcase in an abandoned building in Athens.
- Ahmadzai admitted to moving the body and using Ross's credit cards but denies committing murder.
- Police suspect Ross was likely asphyxiated.
- Ahmadzai's wife, Alaina Hall, reportedly alerted authorities after suspecting her husband's involvement and newfound wealth.
- Ross's phone was used after her death to send misleading messages to delay her being reported missing.
Greek authorities are investigating the motive behind the murder of Elisabeth-Jane Ross, a 38-year-old Scottish charity worker whose body was discovered in a suitcase in an abandoned building in Athens last month. The primary suspect, 26-year-old Afghan national Sharif Ahmadzai, has been accused of intentional homicide following three days of questioning.
Police believe the key to the motive lies in Ross's final hours. Ahmadzai has confessed to moving Ross's body in a trolley and withdrawing approximately €10,000 from her ATMs using her credit cards, but he denies committing murder. Investigators are exploring whether the crime stemmed from Ross discovering Ahmadzai stealing from her, a sexual assault, or his advances being spurned.
Ahmadzai, a professional lightweight boxer who arrived in Greece as a child refugee a decade ago, claims he found Ross already deceased in an apartment he helped manage in the Exarchia district. Ross, who had similar volunteering experience and religious views to Ahmadzai's wife, US citizen Alaina Hall, had moved into the apartment on July 10.
Forensic scientists suggest Ross was likely asphyxiated, though an initial postmortem was inconclusive due to the body's advanced decay. Further toxicological tests are expected to determine the exact cause of death.
Alaina Hall reportedly played a crucial role in the investigation. After allegedly becoming suspicious of her husband's actions and newfound wealth from the stolen credit cards, she contacted the police herself. Ross's phone was also used for several days after her death to send misleading text messages to family and friends, which police believe was an attempt to delay her being reported missing.