A 26-year-old man, reported to be an Afghan national, allegedly hid the woman's body in a suitcase and left it in an abandoned building in Athens, where it was eventually found by a homeless man.
Greek officials have detained a 26-year-old migrant (who was referred to as a "foreigner" in Greek reports), over the death of Elisabeth-Jane Ross, a Scottish woman whose body was discovered in a suitcase hidden in a derelict Athens building in July.
Her body was discovered on July 18 "by a homeless man", with the police suspecting she had been dead for between five and seven days before that.
While the police did not specify the suspect's nationality in their official statement, reports citing police sources indicated he was an Afghan national.
The man, who was taken in for questioning, reportedly claimed the victim was already dead when he found her. The authorities have yet to release a cause of death, as UK media reported an autopsy was still being conducted and the body was "badly decomposed."
Ross was a known charity worker
In their statement on Sunday (August 2), Greek police said the suspect is believed to have "placed the body in a suitcase and transported it to the abandoned site" and then "used the victim's bank cards to withdraw money."
"During the search of his home, a replica pistol and a knife were found and seized," the police added, saying the 26-year-old was suspected of manslaughter, robbery and violation of weapons laws.
UK media described Ross as an active humanitarian who often traveled to Greece and other parts of the world to help those in need. She entered Greece in late June, staying with friends until July 10, before finding a place to rent. Ross reportedly indicated she would be meeting other friends in mid-July. Her body was discovered on July 18, with the police suspecting she had been dead for between five and seven days before that.
Messages sent from victim's phone
Greek authorities believe that someone was using Ross' phone to send messages, including to her father in Edinburgh, to create the impression that she was still alive.
According to police sources cited by the Greek media, the messages sent from Athens said Ross "needed some time to herself" and wanted to be alone.
"It is clear whoever sent them was trying to buy time," a source said.
Police managed to take fingerprints despite "the advanced decomposition," they said in the statement. They identified Ross with the help of Interpol, noting that UK and Scottish police also cooperated in the investigation.
A Police Scotland spokesperson confirmed they are working with the Greek authorities and said their officers were "providing support to Ross' family in Scotland."