Body of Scottish Woman Found in Athens Suitcase

Interpol confirmed Ross's identity through DNA analysis.

Greek police estimate Ross may have been dead for approximately eight days before her body was found.

Initial examinations of Ross's body revealed no visible wounds or clear signs of struggle.

Text messages were sent from Ross's phone after her death; a Greek police official confirmed the phone's activity and the deceptive nature of these messages.

The mobile phone remained active in the Athens region until Ross was publicly identified; her father in Edinburgh received messages between July 15 and July 29, a period extending beyond her estimated time of death.

Greek authorities now search for a homeless man known as 'Markos' in connection with the death, identifying him as a 'prime suspect' in the ongoing investigation.

Markos habitually slept rough in the abandoned location where the suitcase was discovered; he has not been seen since the area became a crime scene, prompting an urgent search by Greek police.

Hamid Reza, a local resident, stated that Markos carries a knife, confirming local women fear him, and he disappeared after the body's discovery.

Markos is characterized as a habitual heavy drinker and drug user, possessing a history of aggressive and threatening behaviour, particularly towards women.

He is described as heavily covered in tattoos and in his 40s; rumors circulated that he attempted to rape a Bulgarian woman at knifepoint earlier in 2024.

Despite the intense focus on 'Markos' by Greek authorities, a Police Scotland spokesperson maintains no formal suspect has been identified at this stage, confirming they are working in conjunction with Greek authorities.

The UK Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office spokesperson confirmed providing consular support, remaining in contact with local authorities.

Ross had prior connections to Greece, having worked with homeless people and engaged in charitable work; some reports suggest she may have been in the area for compassionate reasons linked to her Christian faith and concerns for Greece's homeless population.

Investigators now focus on locating a group of American acquaintances Ross intended to move in with, though a police spokesman admitted they do not yet know who these individuals are or if they even exist.

Investigators believe the killer may have contacted Ross's American friends after her death.