A trip to the mountain town of Arachova, mobile phone data and witness testimonies helped Greek police identify and arrest a 26-year-old Afghan man accused of murdering a 38-year-old British woman whose body was found inside a suitcase in Athens’ Kypseli neighborhood, according to details reported by Greek media.

The victim, a woman from Edinburgh, was found dead on July 18, 2026, inside a suitcase in the courtyard of an abandoned building on Evelpidon Street in Kypseli. Forensic examiners estimated that her death had occurred approximately three to six days before her body was discovered.

The suspect, who has previously been accused of theft and other offenses, was a co-manager of an apartment rented to American members of a non-governmental organization (NGO). The British woman had been staying alone in the apartment shortly before she disappeared.

Police investigation and suspect’s movements

According to information gathered by officers from the Hellenic Police homicide department, which took over the investigation after the woman was identified through Interpol at the end of July, the victim arrived in Greece from Scotland on June 29.

She had regularly visited Greece over the previous six years and maintained contacts with foreign NGO members involved in supporting abused women and migrants.

Initially, she stayed at the homes of Greek friends in Keratsini. She later moved to an apartment near Alexandras Avenue in Athens, rented by American NGO members.

The apartment was co-managed by a woman from Zimbabwe, the 26-year-old Afghan suspect and his American partner.

On July 15, the British woman reportedly told her friends in Keratsini that she would return shortly after going to a pottery school.

She disappeared after that, while messages began being sent from her phone to friends and relatives. The messages contained spelling mistakes and unusual wording, reportedly saying that she wanted to be alone for a while and planned to travel to the islands of Samos and Crete.

Police later determined that she had likely been killed on the same day.

Evidence pointing to the suspect

Investigators reportedly concluded that the woman returned to the apartment near Alexandras Avenue to collect her belongings and return to her friends in Keratsini. Police believe she then encountered the suspect, who entered the apartment using his keys.

Authorities are examining whether the motive was an attempted sexual assault or an attempt by the victim to escape after discovering the suspect inside the apartment stealing money or her bank card.

The suspect has denied killing the woman, claiming he found her dead inside the apartment where he lived. He reportedly told authorities that he later withdrew money from her bank card in order to pay an unidentified person who knew what had happened and was blackmailing him.

Police are continuing to investigate other possible scenarios.

Suitcase transfer and Arachova trip

Investigators say the suspect moved the suitcase containing the woman’s body from the apartment the following day to his own home in Kypseli and later carried it to an open area where it was discovered.

Police also say he began using the victim’s bank card after her death.

Following the killing, the suspect traveled to Arachova with his partner, who authorities say was not involved in the woman’s death. During the trip, he had possession of and used the victim’s phone.

According to investigators, mobile network data showing the phone’s location provided additional evidence linking him to the case.

A forensic report had initially left open the possibility that the woman’s death could have been related to drug or alcohol use. Police later ruled this out, stating that the woman avoided substance abuse and had no known addictions.

Greek authorities also said that reports in foreign media suggesting involvement by beggars or other individuals in the woman’s death were unfounded.