Philadelphia Upholds Suicide Ruling in Ellen Greenberg Case After Review Uncovers Three Additional Stab Wounds
Philadelphia’s Chief Medical Examiner, Lindsay Simon, recently affirmed the suicide ruling in the Ellen Greenberg case. This decision followed a reexamination that uncovered significant new findings, including three additional stab wounds and 20 more bruises. The total now stands at 23 stab wounds and 31 bruises. Despite these discoveries, Simon maintained that Greenberg’s death remains a suicide, a classification that was changed from homicide in 2011.
Investigation Details
The reexamination arose from an agreement between Greenberg’s parents and the city. This was part of a settlement over lawsuits they initiated to challenge the suicide ruling. Simon based her conclusion on several factors, notably Greenberg’s anxiety surrounding her teaching job and a recent change in medication. These, she noted, provided her with the energy to act on anxious thoughts, though they had not yet resolved the anxiety itself.
Conflicting Reports
Simon’s determination contradicts a prior statement by pathologist Marlon Osbourne, who initially ruled the death a homicide. Osbourne recently expressed that the case should not have been classified as a suicide. Additionally, five out of seven forensic reports, all considered by Simon, indicated the wounds were not consistent with suicide. Only one report, prepared for the city, supported the suicide classification.
- Initial Ruling: Homicide
- Change to Suicide: 2011
- New Findings: 3 additional stab wounds, 20 more bruises
- Current Ruling: Suicide
Case Background and Disputes
Greenberg, a 27-year-old teacher, was discovered dead in her Manayunk apartment in January 2011. Her fiancé, Samuel Goldberg, reported breaking into the apartment due to a locked door from the inside. Police initially treated the death as a suicide due to the lack of defensive wounds and no signs of forced entry. However, controversies arose as the initial autopsy indicated 20 stab wounds, leading to a preliminary homicide ruling.
Parental and Legal Pushback
Greenberg’s parents have consistently contested the city’s findings. They argue that the investigations were flawed and constituted a cover-up. Their attorney, Joseph Podraza Jr., criticized Simon’s latest review as disingenuous, expressing disappointment yet lack of surprise at the continued suicide determination.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| January 26, 2011 | Greenberg’s death discovered |
| 2011 | Death reclassified from homicide to suicide |
| February | Settlement between the Greenbergs and the city |
Ongoing Efforts for Clarity
The Greenbergs have been supported by numerous forensic experts questioning the suicide verdict. In addition, a recent Hulu docuseries, “Death in Apartment 603: What Happened to Ellen Greenberg?”, has reignited public interest in the case. Simon’s review notably omitted any examination of preserved spinal cord evidence, leading Podraza to call for more extensive analysis.
Despite the city’s conclusion, Greenberg’s legal team continues to seek justice, exploring unspecified avenues to challenge the ruling. They emphasize the broader implications for accountability and transparency within Philadelphia’s justice system.
