FAQ: The Controversial Death of Ellen Greenberg

What are the key details of Ellen Greenberg's death?

Ellen Rae Greenberg, a 27-year-old first-grade teacher, was found dead on January 26, 2011, in her Philadelphia apartment during a blizzard. She had sustained 20 stab wounds, including 10 to her back and neck, and 11 bruises in various stages of resolution on her body. Her fiancé, Samuel Goldberg, discovered her body, reporting that he had to break down the door which was secured by a swing latch, after being unable to reach her. He then called 911, stating that she "stabbed herself" and "fell on a knife." A single-edged serrated steak knife, 12.5 cm in length, was recovered embedded in her chest. The apartment was cleaned the day after her death, and Goldberg's uncle, a prominent lawyer, removed electronics belonging to Ellen before police secured a search warrant.

What was the initial official ruling regarding Ellen Greenberg's death, and how did it change?

The crime scene was initially treated as a suicide by the Philadelphia Police Department. However, after the autopsy, the Philadelphia Medical Examiner's Office initially ruled the case a homicide. This ruling was quickly challenged by the Philadelphia Police Department, who stated the death was still considered "suspicious" but not yet ruled a homicide. Subsequently, in February 2011, the medical examiner's office changed its conclusion, officially ruling the death a suicide. This change has been a major point of contention and the subject of ongoing legal and public debate.

What evidence was cited to support the suicide ruling?

The Philadelphia Attorney General's Office, which took over the case in 2018, stated in 2019 that their investigation supported a suicide ruling. The evidence they cited included web searches for "methods of committing suicide," "quick death," and "depression" found on Ms. Greenberg’s personal computer in the weeks leading up to her death. Additionally, text messages between Ms. Greenberg and a family member on the day of her death were described as showing her in "serious mental distress." However, a technology expert later attributed these alleged "suicide searches" to "phantom searches based on analytics" while she was researching medication side effects, and her psychiatrist stated she was not suicidal.

What are the main arguments against the suicide ruling?

Several experts and Ellen's parents strongly dispute the suicide ruling, pointing to numerous inconsistencies. Key arguments against suicide include:

• Number and location of stab wounds: 20 stab wounds, including multiple to the back of her neck, back, and through vital organs like the liver and heart, are highly unusual for suicide. Experts claim that self-inflicted stab wounds are typically to the front of the body and rarely involve multiple deep wounds. One stab wound to the back of her neck was found to have severed her spinal cord, which would have incapacitated her, making further self-stabbing impossible.

• Presence of bruises: 11 bruises in various stages of healing on her body, consistent with a "repeated beating," suggest possible domestic violence, which is not typically associated with suicide by stabbing.

• Crime scene integrity: The apartment was cleaned the day after her death, and her electronics were removed by her fiancé's uncle, a lawyer, before a proper police search, leading to concerns about evidence contamination and loss.

• Fiancé's 911 call and actions: Critics highlight inconsistencies in Samuel Goldberg's 911 call, where he claimed not to see the knife until prompted to perform CPR, despite it being visibly embedded in her chest. His initial call was to his influential uncle before 911. Some also noted he wore boots to the gym (where he claimed to have been during the incident) and his demeanor on the 911 call did not sound genuinely frantic.

• Pathologist's change of mind: Dr. Marlon Osbourne, the medical examiner who performed the autopsy and later changed the manner of death to suicide, amended his position again in 2025, stating it "should be designated as something other than suicide," citing new information.

Who are the key figures involved in the investigation and legal challenges?

• Ellen Rae Greenberg: The deceased.

• Samuel Goldberg: Ellen's fiancé, who discovered her body.

• Dr. Marlon Osbourne: The medical examiner who performed the autopsy, initially ruled homicide, then changed to suicide, and in 2025 stated it should be "other than suicide."

• Josh and Sandee Greenberg: Ellen's parents, who have relentlessly pursued justice and challenged the suicide ruling.

• Cyril H. Wecht and Wayne Ross: Noted pathologists who reviewed the case and concluded the death was suspicious of homicide, with Ross noting evidence of strangulation and repeated beating.

• James Schwartzman: Samuel Goldberg's uncle, a prominent lawyer (later a judge), who removed items from the apartment before police obtained a search warrant.

• Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office (under Josh Shapiro): Took over the case in 2018 and initially concluded it was a suicide in 2019, closing their investigation. However, in February 2025, NBC News reported that the case will be reinvestigated.

What is the current legal status of the case?

Ellen Greenberg's parents have been engaged in legal battles to have the official manner of death changed from suicide. In 2019, they filed a lawsuit against Dr. Marlon Osbourne and the Philadelphia Medical Examiner's Office. A significant development occurred in February 2025, when Dr. Osbourne signed a document stating he no longer considers her death a suicide. While this statement does not automatically change the official death certificate as he is no longer employed by the Medical Examiner's office, it has contributed to renewed calls for a re-investigation. NBC News reported that her death will be reinvestigated as a result of Osbourne’s updated opinion.

How has media and public opinion reacted to the case?

The case has garnered significant media attention, featured on shows like Dr. Oz, 48 Hours, People Magazine, and true crime podcasts. It has become a sensation within the true crime community, with widespread public debate and skepticism regarding the suicide ruling. Many in the public and online forums express strong convictions that Ellen was murdered, citing the unusual nature of the wounds and perceived mishandling of the investigation. The "Justice for Ellen Greenberg" movement highlights the public's demand for a thorough and transparent re-evaluation of her death.

What are the remaining unanswered questions or areas of controversy?

Despite years of investigation and public scrutiny, several aspects remain controversial:

• The precise sequence of events: How did the wounds occur, particularly the incapacitating neck wound in relation to the others?

• The integrity of the crime scene: The rapid cleaning of the apartment and removal of electronics by a family member of the fiancé raise questions about lost evidence.

• The 911 call interpretation: The fiancé's demeanor and statements on the 911 call continue to be debated, with many finding them suspicious.

• The influence of connections: Allegations of political and familial influence on the initial investigation and the subsequent ruling changes persist.

• Motive: If it was homicide, what was the motive? While some speculate about domestic violence due to prior bruises and changes in Ellen's behavior, no definitive conclusions have been reached publicly.

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