Family's tribute to 'kind and selfless' aid worker killed in Greece
Elisabeth Ross, known as Lisa, was found in a suitcase in an abandoned building in Athens on 18 July
The family of Elisabeth Ross, a Scottish aid worker whose body was discovered in a suitcase in Greece, has honored her as "kind, principled, and selfless."
Ross, known to her loved ones as Lisa, was found on July 18 in an abandoned building in Athens' Kypseli district, several days after being reported missing. The 38-year-old had been volunteering with a refugee support organization in Greece. Tributes have also poured in from her friends and her church in Edinburgh.
Sharif Ahmadzai, a 26-year-old boxer from Afghanistan, has been accused of her murder, along with robbery and weapons offenses.
In a statement, Ross's family shared: "Lisa will always be remembered by us as kind, principled and selfless. 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."
Ross arrived in Greece on June 26 and stayed with friends in the Keratsini area of Piraeus until July 10. She reportedly mentioned plans to stay with American friends and is believed to have died several days before her discovery.
Greek police allege that Ahmadzai transported Ross's body in a suitcase to an abandoned location and subsequently used her bank cards to withdraw money. He has been arrested and charged with homicide with intent, which is equivalent to a murder charge in the UK.
Magali Tassone, a friend who studied with Ross at the missionary organization Youth With A Mission in Switzerland in 2013, expressed her shock to BBC Scotland News. Tassone, 41, described Ross as having "deep compassion" for refugees and women experiencing abuse, a passion she pursued through her work.
"It was terrible, I have no words to explain the pain," Tassone said. "Thinking my friend is not there anymore is something that is just so painful. But then afterwards discovering everything that is going on around her story - I'm still processing and I'm still shocked about that."
Tassone, originally from Switzerland, maintained contact with Ross and last saw her four years ago when Ross visited her home in Dijon, France, spending time with her family and helping with her children.
"Lisa was someone who would travel a lot," Tassone added. "I know she had a home, but her home was also everywhere. She would go to different countries, and it was not like she had a place where she would stay for a long time."
Tassone also mentioned that Ross had visited other friends in Norway and Denmark and had financially supported missionaries. "She would always give to other people, and be there for people," she said. "Even to the point that she could sometimes forget about herself because she would spend so much time giving to people, visiting people and supporting people."
According to Tassone, Ross grew up in a Christian environment and "always wanted to live her faith." She added, "She truly incarnated the love and passion of Jesus for people here. Her love was obvious and was not just words, but deeds and actions that she would display every day."
Destiny Church in Edinburgh, where Ross was a member, also paid tribute. Their statement read: "Lisa will always be remembered for her unstoppable passion to help those who were less fortunate than herself. This passion and deep sense of calling sometimes took her to challenging places. Lisa was determined not to leave this world the same way she found it. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Lisa's whole family at this time who will be heart broken at the loss of such a beautiful daughter and sister."
Sharif Ahmadzai has been jailed until his trial for Ross's death, which could be up to 18 months away. The BBC understands that he denies the murder charge but admits to moving the body, claiming he did so out of fear of being blamed for her death.