Greek police investigate ‘foul play’ in the death of a woman found in a suitcase

First Minister John Sweeney said the Ross family would be supported by the Scottish Government and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

He said: “This is a very sad case that has been reported overnight.

“And obviously I’m very concerned that such a tragedy has happened.”

The Guardian’s correspondent in Athens, Helena Smith, told BBC Radio Scotland that the body was found in a flat building in central Athens, in an “air-filled environment”.

“It is very popular with people traveling through Athens and young expats who choose to make the Greek capital their home,” she said.

Smith said the Ross family had “connections” to Edinburgh and Greece – she was staying with a friend in Athens before she disappeared.

She added: “It appears that someone had taken control of her mobile phone after her death and was sending messages to distract authorities and close friends from trying to find her.”