An American couple, who provided shelter to an Afghan migrant accused of killing a Scottish aid worker, expressed shock as they never noticed any warning signs during the time he stayed with them. The couple, who preferred to remain anonymous, hosted Sharif Ahmadzai, 26, in their home on the Greek island of Lesvos for nearly two years while carrying out humanitarian work in the Moria refugee camp.
Ahmadzai, an Afghan boxer who fled his homeland after being orphaned, worked as a translator for relief organizations at the Moria camp in 2016 where he crossed paths with the American couple. They assumed a parental role towards Ahmadzai, who affectionately referred to them as “mum and dad,” integrating into their family alongside their adult sons. During their stay in Lesvos, the couple nurtured Ahmadzai, teaching him English and presenting him with Christmas gifts before relocating to Atlanta, Georgia, after two years.
Their last encounter with Ahmadzai was on a visit to Europe in 2019, according to the Mail report. The couple expressed deep disbelief upon learning of Ahmadzai’s involvement in the court case, where he faces charges of intentional homicide following the death of Elisabeth-Jane Ross, 38, whose body was discovered in Athens on July 18 by a homeless individual in a deserted structure in the Kypseli area.
Christos Erdas, Ahmadzai’s lawyer, stated that his client did not enter a plea for the three charges against him during the recent court appearance. Initially detained on illegal possession of weapons, Ahmadzai now confronts accusations of intentional homicide and embezzlement of over 10,000 euros from Ms. Ross’ bank accounts using her bank cards.
Erdas highlighted the necessity for additional medical evidence before Ahmadzai can enter a plea, including the official cause of Ms. Ross’ death and the retrieval of her medical records from the UK as part of the legal proceedings. Ahmadzai remains in pre-trial detention as per the judge’s ruling, pending further hearings.
The legal proceedings took place at the court complex near the location where Ms. Ross’ body was discovered. Authorities detained Ahmadzai for interrogation after reviewing surveillance footage near the crime scene. Following the alleged murder, Ahmadzai purportedly sent messages from Ms. Ross’ phone to her contacts before disabling the device.
Later, he allegedly acquired a new phone and messaged Ms. Ross’ friends in Athens, posing as an unidentified jihadist claiming responsibility for the killing due to her religious beliefs, as reported by Greek newspapers. Ahmadzai’s wife, Alaina Hall, alerted the police after suspecting his actions when she traced his phone to Ms. Ross’ whereabouts.
Ms. Ross, believed to be from Edinburgh, entered Greece on June 26 and was initially staying with friends in Piraeus before moving to a different part of Athens to meet American acquaintances. The exact circumstances leading to her demise remain unclear pending the outcome of tissue analysis to ascertain if suffocation caused her death, as suggested in the preliminary medical examiner’s assessment.
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office extended condolences to Ms. Ross’ family, providing consular assistance and collaborating with local authorities. Police Scotland is also engaged in the investigations, supporting the deceased’s family in Scotland. In a statement released by Ms. Ross’ family, they remembered her as a compassionate and dedicated individual who devoted her life to aiding those in need, seeking privacy as they cope with their loss.
