Afghan boxer charged in murder of British aid worker found in Athens suitcase, fluoxetine detected

Elisabeth Jane Ross, a 38-year-old aid worker from Edinburgh, was located dead inside a suitcase in an abandoned Athens building on July 18, after arriving in the city on June 26 and staying with friends before moving to a central street on July 2 to volunteer with a Christian-based NGO. Sharif Ahmadzai, an Afghan boxer, has been detained and charged with homicide with intent, robbery and illegal gun possession following information from his wife, Alaina Hall, about his suspicious actions.

Court filings indicate he admitted moving Ross’s body to the derelict site and using her credit cards to withdraw cash. Forensic analysis uncovered traces of the antidepressant fluoxetine in Ross’s system, a dosage too low to indicate long-term use, leading investigators to consider she may have been compelled to take the drug on the day she died. Additional lab work has been ordered as the cause of death remains unclear due to decomposition. Ahmadzai is currently held in Korydallos Prison, where he reportedly suffered an assault shortly after his arrival.