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The Philadelphia Medical Examiner's Office has agreed to reopen its investigation into the death of Ellen Greenberg, a 27-year-old first-grade teacher who was found dead in January 2011 on the kitchen floor of her city apartment with 20 stab wounds.
Greenberg's death was initially ruled a homicide, but the Medical Examiner's Office reversed course weeks later, saying Greenberg, who had a history of anxiety, had died by suicide. Now, the city pathologist who conducted the autopsy has walked back his April 2011 determination, saying that after becoming "aware of additional information," he no longer believes Greenberg died by suicide.
Here's what to know about the case.
• What happened to Ellen Greenberg?
On Jan. 26, 2011, Sam Goldberg, Greenberg's fiancé, found the 27-year-old lying on the kitchen floor of the two-bedroom apartment they shared. A knife was lodged in her chest.
Police found no signs of an intruder or a robbery, and Greenberg appeared to have no defensive wounds. Neighbors did not report hearing a disturbance. Greenberg's parents told officers that they had no reason to suspect Goldberg, and Greenberg's psychiatrist said Greenberg was happy in the relationship and had denied any abuse.
With no evidence suggesting another person had been inside the apartment that afternoon, police suspected suicide. But pathologist Marlon Osbourne ruled the death a homicide.
Officials continued their investigation. Over the next several weeks, investigators learned that Greenberg had anxiety, for which she was prescribed Klonopin. Her psychiatrist had also prescribed Ambien, a sleep aid. Both medications list suicidal ideation as a possible side effect, although no one close to Greenberg had heard her express any such thoughts, The Washington Post previously reported.
Investigators told the Philadelphia Inquirer at the time that new evidence had surfaced that made suicide seem more likely. Less than three months later, on April 4, 2011, Osbourne issued an amended death certificate for Greenberg, changing her manner of death from homicide to suicide.
• How did Greenberg's parents react?
The medical examiner's revised determination confounded Greenberg's parents, whose attorney told The Post in 2021 that "it makes no sense."
Greenberg's parents requested the reports from the investigation, retained lawyers and hired experts, who outlined several reasons Greenberg's death may have been a homicide. Among their points: the knife block in Greenberg's kitchen was overturned, potentially indicating a struggle; a dried blood drip on her face suggested her body might have been moved; and a large gash at the back of Greenberg's head may have incapacitated her, possibly explaining why she was unable to defend herself.
Greenberg's parents sued Osbourne and the Medical Examiner's Office in 2019, seeking to overturn the autopsy ruling.
• What did the pathologist say about Greenberg's death?
After years of litigation, Osbourne said in a court document dated Jan. 31 that he no longer believes Greenberg died by suicide.
"It is my professional opinion Ellen's manner of death should be designated as something other than suicide," Osbourne, who now works in Florida, wrote.
"I am now aware that information exists which draws into question, for example, whether Ellen's fiancé was witnessed entering the apartment before placing the 9-1-1 call on Jan. 26, 2011; whether the door was forced open as reported; whether Ellen's body was moved by someone else inside the apartment with her at or near the time of her death; and the findings of Lindsey Emery, M.D. from her neuropathological evaluation of Ellen's cervical segment sample," he added.
• What happens next?
Greenberg's parents filed a separate lawsuit against the city in 2022 alleging emotional distress stemming from officials mishandling their daughter's death investigation. Jury selection was set to begin Monday, until city lawyers and Greenberg's parents reached an agreement that the Medical Examiner's Office would reopen and review her death.
"Josh and Sandee Greenberg are very pleased to have resolved this lawsuit with the city defendants, particularly in light of the verification by Dr. Osbourne which confirms the death of their daughter Ellen should not be designated as a suicide," Joseph Podraza, the Greenbergs' attorney, said in a statement addressed to The Post.
"More than anything, that vindication is most meaningful to them," he said.
Ava Schwemler, a spokesperson for the City of Philadelphia Law Department, said in a statement that the case has been settled and that an "independent review of the autopsy file" would be conducted.
Podraza told The Post that he expects the review to be "expeditious." He also said he hopes a federal or state law enforcement agency will proceed with the investigation.
"With this aspect of the case now behind them, they can turn their full attention to bringing to justice the murderer(s) responsible for Ellen's tragic death," Podraza said.
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