Philadelphia Medical Examiner Confirms Ellen Greenberg’s 2011 Stabbing Death as Suicide

After years of speculation, the Philadelphia Medical Examiner’s Office concluded that the 2011 death of Ellen Greenberg was a suicide. Ellen Greenberg, 27, a teacher from Manayunk, was found dead with 20 stab wounds on January 26, 2011. The latest report, led by Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Lindsay Simon, upheld the previous suicide ruling.
Philadelphia Medical Examiner’s Report Details
The 32-page report notes that Greenberg showed no signs of a struggle, and there was no evidence pointing to an intruder. Her fiancé’s account, supported by gym surveillance footage and keycard records, placed him away from the scene during her death. Additionally, his DNA was absent from the knife used.
Background and Mental Health Insights
The report highlights Greenberg’s struggles with anxiety, exacerbated by her teaching responsibilities and concerns about grade submissions. Dr. Simon posited that Greenberg’s anxiety may have fueled her actions, despite the atypical pattern of stab wounds.
New Investigation Findings
- The report disclosed three more minor stab wounds than previously recorded, though these were deemed non-lethal.
- Dr. Simon suggested Greenberg could self-inflict the observed injuries, though she acknowledged the unusual nature of the injuries.
Controversy and Legal Proceedings
William Trask, the attorney for Greenberg’s family, criticized the report, labeling it as a flawed justification of a pre-determined outcome. He pointed to allegedly overlooked evidence, such as missing surveillance footage and accounts of a difficult relationship.
The family’s legal efforts aim to reclassify Greenberg’s cause of death, disputing the suicide ruling set initially by Dr. Marlon Osbourne. Dr. Osbourne has since expressed that Greenberg’s death should be reconsidered and designated differently.
Future Legal Steps
The family’s ongoing fight for re-evaluation of the case persists through legal avenues. The examination of Greenberg’s death continues after reaching a settlement with the City of Philadelphia, ending their 14-year battle over the ruling.