Investigators are scrambling to determine what led to the death of a woman found inside a suitcase in “the heart of” a popular tourist destination.

A homeless man made the shocking discovery on July 18 inside an abandoned building in Kypseli, an area in Athens popular among foreign nationals, and contacted police.

The woman’s body was located around 1pm, and showed no obvious injuries, according to Greek media, with another Greek publication adding that the body had already begun decomposing when it was found.

The building has reportedly been derelict for at least two years.

The woman had no identification on her when she was found.

When local police were unable to match the fingerprints of the body, they contacted Interpol for assistance.

Eleven days later, she was identified as Elisabeth Jane Ross, a 38-year-old Scottish woman.

A multi-agency investigation is now underway to determine the cause of death and the circumstances surrounding it.

A Greek police officer told The Sun that the woman’s death was “unprecedented”.

“To find a foreign national dead in a suitcase here in the heart of Athens is a first,” they said.

“In the history of Greek British relations, it is unprecedented.”

In an eerie twist, Ms Ross’ phone was reportedly used in the days after her death.

The device was active until her identification was released to the public by police.

A Greek police officer said it was believed that the use of the phone was an attempt to mislead friends and family, according to the Daily Mail.

‘The phone was being used,” they said.

“Text messages were even sent obviously with a view to making people believe she was still alive.

“We are treating the building as a crime scene.”

The Guardian reported that CCTV in the area was being examined and would form part of the investigation, adding that Ms Ross’ death was being treated “as a criminal act, given how the body was found”.

Her cause of death has yet to be determined, but The Sun reported that a forensic exam had ruled out strangulation or fatal head injuries,

Ms Ross was last seen on July 15 by friends and it is understood she travelled to Greece last month from the US via Cyprus.

The BBC reported that local police were desperately trying to learn more about Ms Ross and her movements in the lead up to her death.

“Further details have been requested regarding when she arrived in Greece, how, and with whom,” a spokesperson told the outlet.

“We cannot provide further details at this stage, as the investigation is fully under way.”

Police Scotland also confirmed to the BBC that they were aware of the tragedy.

“We are aware of the death of Scottish woman in Athens and are liaising with authorities in Greece.

“Officers are providing support to her family in Scotland.”