The Disturbing Mystery Behind Ellen Greenberg's Death: Suicide or Cover-Up?
Ellen Greenberg's death in 2011 remains one of the most baffling and controversial cases in recent history. Despite being found with 20 stab wounds, including 10 to the back of her head and neck, her death was ruled a suicide. Her parents, however, have fought tirelessly to overturn that ruling, convinced that their daughter was murdered. With recent legal victories and resurfaced evidence, questions about the nature of Ellen's death refuse to go away. Could this be a case of foul play covered up as suicide?
The Unsettling Details of Ellen Greenberg's Death
On the evening of Jan. 26, 2011, Ellen Greenberg, a 27-year-old teacher, was found dead in her Philadelphia apartment in 2011 with 20 stab wounds to her chest, abdomen, head, and back of her neck, as well as a gash on her scalp. Her fiancé, Sam Goldberg, returned from the gym to find himself locked out of their apartment due to the swing bar lock being engaged from the inside. After trying unsuccessfully to contact Ellen by phone and banging on the door, he eventually forced it open. According to the medical examiner's report, Goldberg found Ellen near the kitchen with her upper body against the cabinets and her legs extended. When he called 911, he was instructed to begin CPR but was told to stop upon discovering a knife lodged in her chest.
Initially, authorities labeled her death a homicide, but it was later reclassified as a suicide by police. Ellen's parents immediately questioned this determination, unable to reconcile how someone could inflict such wounds on themselves, especially in the back of the head and neck. The bizarre circumstances surrounding her death have raised eyebrows ever since, leading to ongoing legal battles and media attention.
In 2024, Ellen's parents won a significant legal victory to have Ellen's case heard by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, giving them hope of having her cause of death changed to homicide. For over a decade, they have maintained that their daughter was the victim of foul play. With every new piece of information that surfaces, including inconsistencies in the investigation, the case only grows more suspicious.
Challenges Arise Over Knife Evidence
Although initially ruling her death as a homicide, police changed their ruling to a suicide before conducting an autopsy, citing that her apartment was locked from the inside and there were no defensive wounds. Authorities found no evidence of anyone else entering the apartment, although her stab wounds appeared difficult to self-inflict. They also stated that the 10-inch knife found in her chest only had her DNA on it. However, the Greenbergs' lawyer, Joe Podraza, told Fox News that the knife was never fingerprinted and claimed there were signs of a struggle in the apartment. Court documents, as reported by Fox News, also suggest the scene may have been cleaned before detectives arrived.
The Initial Classification as Homicide
Following the autopsy, the medical examiner classified Ellen's death as a homicide, citing the severity of her injuries, particularly the deep chest wound, as it would have been difficult for Ellen to drive the chef's knife into her chest with enough force for it to stay there. However, the police department continued to assert that Ellen had taken her own life, pointing to her anxiety and prescribed medications, despite her psychiatrist's notes stating she was not suicidal.
The medical examiner then sent a portion of Ellen's spinal column to an outside lab to determine if the wound to the back of her neck would have caused paralysis, preventing further self-inflicted injuries. About three months later, they revised their initial findings, concluding that the neck wound was not severe enough to cause paralysis, making it possible for Ellen to have inflicted the remaining stab wounds.
Independent Investigation
Ellen's parents, Josh and Sandee, strongly disagreed with the suicide ruling, describing their daughter as too squeamish to harm herself and noted no history of abuse from her fiancé, Sam Goldberg. They hired forensic experts Cyril Wecht and Henry Lee, who found Ellen's injuries, especially the stab wounds to her back, suspicious and unlikely to be self-inflicted.
On behalf of the Philadelphia Inquirer News, Gregory McDonald, Montgomery County coroner and dean of the School of Health Science at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, conducted a review of Ellen Greenberg's case. He acknowledged that while some superficial wounds could align with suicide, deeper wounds and the fact that Ellen was stabbed through her clothing were concerning signs of a possible knife attack. He deemed the case one of the most unusual suicide investigations he had seen.
Was This a Cover-Up?
The question that lingers over Ellen Greenberg's death is whether the original suicide ruling was a mistake or a deliberate cover-up. Critics of the investigation argue that authorities were too quick to close the case, possibly ignoring crucial evidence. With Ellen's parents continuing to press for answers, it's clear that this case is far from over. Whether or not justice will be served remains uncertain, but the Greenberg family's fight to uncover the truth shows no signs of stopping.
References: Her Death From 20 Stab Wounds Was Ruled a Suicide. Her Parents Never Bought It — and They've Won a Legal Victory | Parents of Ellen Greenberg believe new evidence submitted to the Philadelphia Attorney General's Office will prove their daughter's 2011 death was murder, not suicide | 'The Truth Will Prevail': Parents Believe Their Daughter’s Puzzling Death Was Murder, Not Suicide
