Teacher's stabbing death affirmed to be a suicide following review
A Philadelphia woman's stabbing death has been affirmed to be a suicide, after the medical examiner's office agreed to reassess the case following lawsuits from her family that contested the initial finding.
Ellen Greenberg, 27, was found in her apartment with nearly two dozen stab and incised wounds and a knife in her chest in January 2011, according to the Philadelphia Medical Examiner's office.
The teacher's death was initially ruled a homicide but later changed to suicide.
Dr. Marlon Osbourne, the pathologist who performed the original autopsy, stated in a sworn statement earlier this year that he changed the manner of death at the time based in part on additional information provided by police, but that it is now his "professional opinion Ellen's manner of death should be designated as something other than suicide."
The Philadelphia Medical Examiner's Office reviewed the case as part of a settlement with her family to determine whether her manner of death should be changed to "could not be determined" or "homicide."
The current medical examiner, Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Lindsay Simon, stated in the 32-page review that it is her opinion that Greenberg's death is "best classified as 'Suicide.'"
The office said it reviewed the initial autopsy and case materials, including police interviews with Greenberg's fiancé, who reported that he had found her dead in their apartment upon returning from the gym and that the apartment had been locked from the inside, according to the review.
Simon determined Greenberg had 23 stab and incised wounds in her neck, head and front torso -- up from the initial autopsy report's finding of 20 wounds -- many of which "would best be categorized as hesitation wounds." Additionally, she determined there were another 20 bruises from the initial report, raising the number to 31. No defensive wounds were found on her body, and "the fact remains that Ellen would be capable of inflicting these injuries herself," Simon stated.
The evidence does not indicate any foul play or that there was anyone else in the apartment at the time of her death, but that Greenberg was "suffering from anxiety at the time of her death" and that the "anxiety appeared mostly to be due to her work as a teacher," according to the review.
"Death in Apartment 603: What Happened to Ellen Greenberg?", a three-part ABC News Studios series streaming on Disney+ and Hulu, examines the case.
Greenberg's family attorney, William Trask, called the review "a deeply flawed attempt to justify a predetermined conclusion" and claimed Simon's case is built 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."
He told ABC Philadelphia station WPVI he wasn't surprised by the review's conclusion, "given how difficult it's been to get the city to cooperate throughout this process."
During a hearing before the Philadelphia Common Pleas Court on Tuesday to discuss the review, attorneys for the Greenbergs and the city of Philadelphia concurred that they consider this 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.
