A professional boxer, Sharif Ahmadzai, has been identified as the key figure in a police inquiry following the discovery of the body of Elisabeth Jane Ross, a 38-year-old woman from Edinburgh, in a deserted building in Athens’ Kypseli area. Ahmadzai is alleged to have used Ross’s bank card to withdraw a substantial amount of money from her account shortly after the incident on July 16. Additionally, he reportedly sent text messages from Ross’s phone to deceive her family into believing she was still alive.
Elisabeth’s body was found inside a suitcase by a homeless individual in an abandoned structure on July 18. In a recent image release, Ahmadzai is seen holding a belt from the Professional Boxing Federation of Greece, having secured a super lightweight boxing title in March.
Originally from Afghanistan, Ahmadzai arrived in Lesvos, Greece, in 2016 and later married Alaina Hall in 2023. The couple allegedly crossed paths with Ms. Ross, a Christian volunteer, through their charity, Love Every Nation Athens, which they established to aid homeless individuals and refugees in the city. Concerns about Ahmadzai’s conduct following Elisabeth’s demise were reportedly raised by Ms. Hall to law enforcement officials.
According to reports, Ahmadzai disappeared on the evening of July 15, and a tracking app allegedly placed him at Elisabeth’s residence, which the couple could access. He purportedly attempted to give his spouse €2,550 (£2,200) in cash along with a new Apple iPhone 17 Pro, but she turned these items over to the authorities, suspecting they were purchased with her funds.
Upon searching Ahmadzai’s residence on August 1, authorities uncovered a replica black metal pistol and a black military-style knife. During interrogation, Ahmadzai purportedly confessed that Elisabeth was deceased when he discovered her, asserting that he placed her in a suitcase solely to steal her money discreetly.
Subsequently, Ahmadzai was arrested and charged in connection with Ms. Ross’s death, facing accusations of intentional homicide, robbery, and weapon-related offenses. The Hellenic Police released a statement indicating the arrest of a 26-year-old foreigner for violating weapons laws, with collaborative efforts undertaken with law enforcement agencies in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Scotland.