The 2011 death of Philadelphia teacher Ellen Greenberg, who was found with 20 stab wounds, has once again been officially ruled a suicide. The Philadelphia Medical Examiner’s Office reaffirmed this conclusion after a recent review, despite ongoing public and familial belief that she was murdered.
Case Background
On January 26, 2011, Ellen Greenberg, a 27-year-old first-grade teacher, was discovered dead in her Manayunk apartment by her fiancé, Sam Goldberg. She had suffered 20 stab wounds to her neck, back, head, and heart. Initially, the death was ruled a homicide, but after consultation with the Philadelphia Police Department, the ruling was changed to suicide.
Over the years, Greenberg’s parents have contested the suicide ruling, citing expert opinions and new evidence suggesting that the wounds could not have been self-inflicted. They have filed multiple lawsuits seeking to have the manner of death changed to homicide or undetermined.
Recent Developments
In February 2025, following a settlement with the city of Philadelphia, the Medical Examiner’s Office agreed to reexamine the case. Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Lindsay Simon conducted a thorough review and released a 32-page report on October 10, 2025. The report concluded that, while the distribution of injuries was unusual, Ellen Greenberg would have been capable of inflicting these injuries herself. The ruling of suicide was reaffirmed.
Public Reaction
The reaffirmation of the suicide ruling has sparked renewed controversy. Critics argue that the decision ignores key evidence, including 3D photogrammetry recreations and accounts of a toxic relationship, which suggest that the wounds could not have been self-inflicted. Supporters of the ruling maintain that the absence of another person’s DNA on the knife and the lack of signs of a struggle support the conclusion of suicide.
