Edinburgh church mourns missionary found dead in Athens suitcase

Tragedy Strikes Edinburgh Church as Beloved Member Found Deceased in Athens

The City on a Hill church community in Edinburgh is mourning a cherished member following the discovery of her body in Athens, Greece. Elisabeth-Jane Ross, affectionately known as Lisa, was a longstanding congregant, remembered for her dedication to Christian missions.

Lisa, aged 38, was tragically found dead inside a suitcase in an abandoned building in the Kypseli district of Athens on July 18th. Her involvement with the church spanned two decades, during which she was deeply committed to serving others.

Peter Anderson, the lead pastor at City on a Hill, expressed the congregation’s grief, describing the loss as a “tragic loss” of a “very, very precious girl” as reported by STV.

Anderson highlighted Ross’s passion for missions, noting, “Lisa’s life was actually all about mission. She had a big passion for missions. She had been to many places on mission, she served people, she cared for people all over the world.”

Elisabeth-Jane Ross, a charity worker, arrived in Athens from the UK on June 26th. Initially, she stayed with friends before relocating to a city-center apartment earlier in July.

Authorities have yet to determine the cause of her death, with toxicology tests still pending. In connection with the case, Greek police have detained a 26-year-old man who denies involvement in her death.

First Minister John Swinney has described the incident as an “absolutely appalling case.” The Scottish government is working closely with her family, providing support during this distressing time.

A spokesperson for the Scottish government said, “This is an extremely distressing time for the family of Elisabeth-Jane Ross and it is important that their privacy is respected while enquiries continue.”

They further stated that Scottish government officials are in touch with the family and the Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office to ensure they receive the necessary support. As the investigation is ongoing, further comments were deemed inappropriate.