The baffling case of Ellen Greenberg, a 27-year-old Philadelphia teacher found dead in her apartment in 2011, continues to confound and distress her parents, who have relentlessly pursued justice for their daughter. The official ruling of suicide, despite the presence of nearly two dozen stab wounds and bruises on Ellen’s body, has fueled the Greenbergs’ suspicion of a cover-up and spurred them to take legal action. Their recent court appearance marked a significant step in their ongoing battle, with the judge acknowledging the puzzling nature of the suicide determination. The circumstances surrounding Ellen’s death, including the chaotic scene, questionable police procedures, and the involvement of a prominent judge related to her fiancé, have raised serious doubts about the official narrative.
Ellen Greenberg was discovered in her kitchen during a blizzard, surrounded by a half-made fruit salad and a knife embedded in her chest. The initial homicide ruling by the city’s forensic pathologist was later reversed to suicide after a closed-door meeting with police. This sudden shift, coupled with the reportedly compromised crime scene and the removal of Ellen’s personal belongings by her fiancé’s uncle, a Pennsylvania judge, before a thorough police search, fueled the Greenbergs’ suspicions. They allege that officials mishandled the investigation and conspired to conceal the truth, causing them immense emotional distress. Their lawsuit accuses various officials, including the medical examiner and homicide detectives, of participating in this alleged cover-up.
The Greenbergs’ legal battle focuses on two key aspects. Their 2022 lawsuit accuses specific officials of a concerted effort to disguise Ellen’s homicide as a suicide and intentionally inflicting emotional distress on the family. A judge recently dismissed one defendant, a pathologist who examined Ellen’s spinal column years after her death, but allowed the case to proceed against the remaining four defendants: the former city pathologist who performed the autopsy, the former chief medical examiner, and two homicide detectives. The judge acknowledged the unusual nature of the suicide ruling given the crime scene evidence and challenged the Greenbergs’ attorney to demonstrate direct and intentional infliction of emotional distress by the remaining defendants.
Secondly, a separate 2019 lawsuit seeks to change the official cause of death on Ellen’s death certificate from “suicide” to either “homicide” or “undetermined.” This case is currently pending before the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. The Greenbergs’ unwavering pursuit of the truth has gained support from independent forensic experts and crime scene analysts who have reviewed the evidence and expressed skepticism about the suicide ruling. The circumstances surrounding the crime scene, particularly the professional cleaning before a proper forensic investigation, and the removal of Ellen’s personal items, including her computer and cellphone, by her fiancé’s uncle, a judge, raise further questions about the integrity of the investigation.
Adding to the complexity of the case is the recent statement from Ellen’s fiancé, Sam Goldberg, who, after years of silence, publicly attributed her death to suicide, citing mental illness. Goldberg’s account of the events leading up to Ellen’s death describes him returning home from the gym, attempting to contact her, and ultimately breaking down the door to find her body. However, court records reveal a series of increasingly agitated text messages from Goldberg to Ellen in the hour before he called 911, questioning her whereabouts and expressing his frustration. This exchange, combined with Goldberg’s delayed call to emergency services, raises further questions about the timeline and circumstances of Ellen’s death.
The Greenbergs’ fight for justice is bolstered by expert opinions that challenge the official narrative. Renowned forensic pathologist Dr. Cyril Wecht, who reviewed the autopsy report, deemed the evidence “strongly suspicious of homicide,” citing the nature and location of the stab wounds, some of which appeared to have been inflicted post-mortem. The presence of bruises in various stages of healing also suggests a history of physical abuse, a claim supported by Ellen’s father. Furthermore, Ellen’s psychiatrist had diagnosed her with anxiety but noted no suicidal ideation, contradicting the suicide ruling. As the Greenbergs continue their legal battles, their determination to uncover the truth behind their daughter’s death remains steadfast. The inconsistencies in the official account, the questionable handling of the crime scene, and the expert opinions supporting the possibility of homicide continue to fuel their quest for justice and closure.
