Additional Coverage:
- Teacher’s stabbing death affirmed to be a suicide following review (abcnews.go.com)
Philadelphia Medical Examiner Reaffirms Suicide Ruling in Contentious Ellen Greenberg Case
Philadelphia, PA – The Philadelphia Medical Examiner’s Office has upheld its determination that the 2011 death of Ellen Greenberg was a suicide, concluding a reassessment prompted by a decade-long legal battle waged by her family. The decision comes despite an earlier pathologist’s recent sworn statement suggesting the manner of death should be reclassified.
Ellen Greenberg, a 27-year-old teacher, was discovered dead in her Manayunk apartment in January 2011 with nearly two dozen stab and incised wounds, and a knife lodged in her chest. The initial ruling by the Medical Examiner’s Office was homicide, but this was subsequently changed to suicide. Her family vehemently disputed this finding, pursuing lawsuits that ultimately led to the recent review.
Earlier this year, Dr. Marlon Osbourne, the pathologist who performed the original autopsy, stated under oath that his initial change of the manner of death was based in part on additional information from police. However, he now believes “Ellen’s manner of death should be designated as something other than suicide.”
As part of a settlement agreement with the Greenberg family, the Philadelphia Medical Examiner’s Office undertook a comprehensive review of the case. The family had sought to have the manner of death changed to either “could not be determined” or “homicide.”
Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Lindsay Simon, who led the review, issued a 32-page report concluding that Greenberg’s death is “best classified as ‘Suicide.'” The review encompassed the initial autopsy, case materials, and police interviews, including an account from Greenberg’s fiancé, who reported finding her dead after returning from the gym, noting the apartment was locked from the inside.
Dr. Simon’s findings detailed 23 stab and incised wounds across Greenberg’s neck, head, and front torso, an increase from the 20 initially reported.
Additionally, the review identified 31 bruises, up from 20. Many of the wounds were categorized as “hesitation wounds,” and no defensive wounds were found on her body.
Simon’s report asserts that “the fact remains that Ellen would be capable of inflicting these injuries herself.”
The Medical Examiner’s Office found no evidence of foul play or the presence of another person in the apartment at the time of death. The review also noted that Greenberg was “suffering from anxiety at the time of her death,” primarily linked to her work as a teacher.
William Trask, attorney for the Greenberg family, sharply criticized the review’s conclusion, calling it “a deeply flawed attempt to justify a predetermined conclusion” and accusing Dr. Simon’s report of relying on “distorted portrayals of Ellen’s mental health.”
“This report is an embarrassment to the City and an insult to Ellen and her family,” Trask said in a statement. “Ellen’s family just wanted the truth.
It is clear the truth will not come from Philadelphia’s law enforcement machinery. Though Ellen’s city turned its back on her, we will continue through other avenues to get justice for her murder, by any means necessary.”
Trask informed ABC Philadelphia station WPVI that he was not surprised by the review’s outcome, citing difficulties in getting the city to cooperate throughout the process.
During a Philadelphia Common Pleas Court hearing on Tuesday to discuss the review, attorneys representing both the Greenberg family and the city of Philadelphia concurred that they consider the immediate settlement matter closed.
*If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide, free, confidential help is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Call or text the national lifeline at 988. *
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- Teacher’s stabbing death affirmed to be a suicide following review (abcnews.go.com)