(DailyVantage.com) – Ellen Greenberg, a 27-year-old Philadelphia teacher who was found dead in her apartment with 20 stab wounds in 2011, is once again at the center of a legal battle as her parents fight to overturn the ruling of her death as a suicide. A recent court hearing brought renewed attention to the case, with a judge expressing skepticism over the official findings.
Greenberg was discovered in her kitchen during a blizzard on January 6, 2011. A knife was embedded in her chest, and a half-prepared fruit salad sat on the counter. Her fiancé, Sam Goldberg, claimed he found her body after returning from the gym, saying he had to break down the locked apartment door. In the hour leading up to the discovery, Goldberg sent a series of texts to Greenberg, including, “Hello,” “open the door,” and “u have no idea.” He called 911 at 6:33 p.m., and she was pronounced dead shortly after.
Initially, the city’s medical examiner ruled Greenberg’s death a homicide. However, the decision was controversially reversed to suicide after a private meeting between police and forensic pathologist Dr. Marlon Osbourne. This change has fueled years of legal disputes, with Greenberg’s parents, Dr. Josh and Sandee Greenberg, accusing officials of mishandling the investigation and covering up a potential homicide. They allege the investigation was “grossly botched,” pointing to sanitized evidence and interference at the crime scene, including the removal of personal items by Goldberg’s uncle, a judge.
During a December 11 hearing in Philadelphia, Judge Michael Erdos voiced concerns about the case. “The fact the death certificate still lists the cause of death as suicide is puzzling,” Erdos said, adding that while the Greenbergs face significant legal hurdles, their fight is not without hope. The parents have filed lawsuits against several officials, including former pathologist Dr. Osbourne, retired Chief Medical Examiner Sam Gulino, and two homicide investigators.
Experts have also questioned the suicide ruling. Renowned forensic pathologist Dr. Cyril Wecht described the circumstances as “strongly suspicious of homicide,” noting that 10 of Greenberg’s stab wounds were inflicted from behind and at least one occurred postmortem. Her body also displayed bruises in various stages of healing, raising concerns of prolonged abuse. Despite these findings, critical evidence, such as the knife in Greenberg’s chest, was never fingerprinted.
The Greenbergs insist their daughter, while diagnosed with anxiety, had no history of suicidal thoughts. They are seeking to have her death certificate amended to classify her death as a homicide or “undetermined.” Their efforts include a case currently pending before the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.
Philadelphia Police have declined to comment, and Goldberg has denied any wrongdoing, attributing Greenberg’s death to mental health issues. For the Greenbergs, the battle for justice continues, as they strive to uncover the truth behind their daughter’s tragic death.
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