2003

• Aliza Sherman working in the IVF surgical department at a Beachwood branch of the Cleveland Clinic.

September 2006

• Aliza Sherman moved to the main branch of the Cleveland Clinic
  

June 20, 2011

• Aliza Sherman files for divorce from her husband, Sanford Sherman.
• On the recommendation of a longtime friend, she hires attorney Joe Stafford of Stafford & Stafford, a law firm known for high-profile divorce cases.
• Aliza believes retaining Stafford may give her an advantage in the proceedings.

June 21, 2011

• The day after receiving the divorce papers, Sanford Sherman files a complaint against Aliza.

Summer–Fall 2011

• Despite the legal action, Sanford continues urging Aliza to attend counseling and reconcile.
• Aliza confides in her attorney that Sanford’s push for counseling is a manipulative attempt to regain control and that his abusive behavior would not change.

Late 2011

• Neither party is willing to vacate the marital home, fearing a court might interpret doing so as “abandonment.”
• As a result, Aliza moves into a bedroom downstairs, creating a physical separation within the home.

January 2012

• Aliza begins emailing herself about her fears and the domestic situation.
• In one email, she writes: “I’m really afraid he is going to have me killed.”

March 2012

• Joe Stafford’s law license is suspended for one year by the Ohio Supreme Court after he is found to have violated six rules of professional conduct.
• Aliza’s divorce case is transferred to Stafford’s senior associate, Gregory Moore.

Spring–Fall 2012

• Aliza expresses dissatisfaction with Moore to family and friends:
• He is late to meetings.
• He does not respond to calls, texts, or emails.
• He files multiple continuances, citing lack of preparation, which delays Aliza’s legal progress.
• Aliza tries to hire a new attorney, but the case is too far along and her finances are depleted. No attorney agrees to take it on.

March 24, 2013

Aliza attorney Moore texts Aliza and asks her to meet at his office that day, bringing any legal documents related to her divorce case. The trial is set to start the following day.
Aliza tells her son Jeremy she is going to her mother-in-law Doris’s house for medicine and errands. She also says she’ll be back in a few hours with pizza.

• 2:31 PM – Gregory Moore texts Aliza Sherman asking her to meet him at the Stafford Law Office at 4:30 PM and requests that she notify him when she leaves.
• 2:55 PM, Aliza texts her daughter Jennifer that she’s going to meet Moore. Jennifer, studying for a pharmacology exam, does not see the message immediately. Aliza also calls her childhood friend Jan Lash and tells her about the 5:00 PM meeting. Jan offers to accompany her, but Aliza declines.
  
• 3:51 PM – Moore uses his electronic access to swipe into the building. It is unclear whether he enters or just swipes.
• 3:54 PM – Sherman texted Moore saying she was leaving for the meeting and would be there by 4:30. Moore responded to that text with one that said, “take time, closer to 5”.
• 3:57 PM – Sherman texted that she left and asked Moore, “I left will wait call me when you get there”. Aliza Sherman drove from her home in Beachwood, Ohio to Erieview Plaza in downtown Cleveland and waited outside the Stafford Law office building for Moore to arrive for a meeting.
• 4:15 PM – Moore calls Sherman but does not speak to her and never calls back.
• 4:19 PM – Sherman texts: “Sorry couldn’t get phone … Got here quicker than I thought. Let [me] know when u are here. I will wait in my car … No problem.”
• 5:13 PM – Sherman texts: “Will u be here soon standing outside building if not will go back to my car.”
• 5:14 PM – Sherman texts again: “Will u be here soon? Kind of cold.”
• 5:15 PM – Moore replies: “Been here.”
• 5:16 PM – Sherman texts: “Doors locked. I thought u would text me when u got here. Been in car 45 min. It’s ok how do I get in?”
• 5:22 PM – Sherman texts: “If u are here why don’t you let me in? I guess I will go back to my car. Too cold. Text me when door is open thx.”
• 5:22 PM – Aliza Sherman, a mother of four and fertility nurse at the Cleveland Clinic, She had just left her divorce attorney’s office at 75 Erieview Plaza when she was attacked and stabbed 11 times outside the Erieview Tower in downtown Cleveland.
• 8 wounds in the back
• 2 in the neck
• 1 in the arm

Witness and Emergency Response

• A man in a nearby building hears her screams and rushes downstairs.
• He finds Aliza struggling to stand, covered in blood, and calls 911.
• He tries to help Aliza lie down and keep her airway clear.
• As emergency sirens approach, he pleads: “Lady, stay with me, alright? They’re coming.”
• 6:14 PM – Paramedics transport Aliza to MetroHealth Medical Center, where she is pronounced dead at 6:14 PM.

Surveillance footage captures a hooded figure approaching her from behind. Despite the attack occurring in daylight and in a busy area, no one intervenes, and the attacker flees. No murder weapon is recovered at the scene. 

March 26, 2013

• The scheduled court date for the Sherman’s contested divorce trial.

March 29, 2013

• Aliza’s Attorney Moore filed a Notice of Suggestion of Death in the divorce case Sherman v. Sherman.

April 2, 2013

• Sherman v. Sherman divorce case is officially dismissed—there is no trial.

April 9, 2013

• Aliza’s loved ones raised $23,000 in reward money to add to the $2,000 offered by Crime Stoppers for information leading to an arrest.

April 22, 2013

• Cleveland Police release surveillance video in an attempt to identify the suspect. The video shows a person in a hooded sweatshirt and jeans, but their face is not visible. Despite public tips, the investigation stalls with no arrests.

May 12, 2013

• Aliza’s family gathers for the first of many “Justice for Aliza” rallies. The rallies continued for the next few years.

May 24, 2013

• The Court received a Bomb Threats

December 2013

• Aliza’s divorce attorney, was indicted on three counts of inducing panic. Prosecutors say Gregory Moore made bomb threats at courthouses in both Geauga and Lake County.

June 2014

• Aliza’s daughter, Jennifer Sherman, filed a $2 million lawsuit against her father. Jennifer claimed Dr. Sanford Sherman forged documents to make off with money from an account in Aliza’s name.

2014

• Aliza’s family publicly states their belief that the attack was targeted, possibly connected to her ongoing contentious divorce proceedings.
• Investigators question her estranged husband, Howard Sherman, but he denies involvement and is never charged.
• Authorities also investigate whether her attorney at the time, Gregory Moore, may have been involved due to inconsistencies and behavior, but no charges are filed.

January 28, 2016

• Gregory Moore is indicted on multiple charges in connection to Aliza’s murder investigation:
• Tampering with evidence
• Obstructing official business
• Falsification
• Telecommunications fraud
• Two counts of forgery
• Investigators determine Moore lied:
• He had texted Aliza to meet at his office.
• He told police he was there waiting, but cellphone data and electronic keycard logs proved he never entered the building.
• Witness statements supported this finding.

May 5, 2017

• Moore pleaded guilty to one charge related to the murder investigation and two charges regarding bomb threats. He got six months in jail, probation and court-ordered community service.
• The case gains renewed attention after being featured in local news specials and national true crime outlets.
• Cleveland Police reaffirm that the case remains open and active, though no new suspects are named.

May 31, 2017

• Moore was sentenced to 180 days in jail; 36 months of community control and ordered to complete 150 hrs of community service.

June 2021

• The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation took over the Sherman case in the summer of 2021 bringing new hope to her loved ones.

July 2024

Aliza’s estranged husband, Dr. Sanford Sherman, passed away last summer in Florida. Although never named a suspect by police, the Sherman’s pending divorce was always front and center in the investigation.

• Aliza’s children continue to advocate for justice, hold memorial events, and push for new leads.
• The attacker has not be named, and the murder weapon was never recovered.

In 2012, Gregory Moore had assumed a large docket of domestic relations cases following the law license suspension of his former employers, Joseph and Vincent Stafford and he fell behind. The court began receiving a bomb threats. Bomb threats appeared to delay Moore’s court obligations, suggesting a pattern. Prosecutors begin investigating Gregory Moore’s cellphone usage after bomb threats were called into courthouses on days Moore was scheduled for trial. 

April 11, 2012

• The Weiss divorce case (Cuyahoga County) is rescheduled for June 8, 2012, removing it from a scheduling conflict with another case.

April 12, 2012

• Moore requests a continuance in Jackson v. Jackson (Lake County), falsely claiming a conflict with Weiss, which had already been rescheduled.
• He also claims his associate, Anne Fantelli, is unavailable due to another trial.

May 8, 2012

• The Lake County Court denies Moore’s request for continuance.

May 15, 2012

• The Wagner case is rescheduled for July 31, 2012, leaving Moore with only the Jackson case scheduled for May 30.

May 30, 2012

• 8:31 AM: Moore calls Judge Eugene Lucci’s office in Lake County and states: “There is a bomb set to go off at 11:00 a.m. at the courthouse.”
• 8:35 AM: He calls Judge Colleen Falkowski’s staff and repeats the bomb threat. The courthouse is evacuated for 45 minutes and searched; no bomb is found.

July 6, 2012

• Moore requests continuances in Kinas v. Kinas and Morgan v. Morgan (both in Cuyahoga County) and Wiswesser v. Wiswesser (Medina County), citing conflicts and illness.

July 9, 2012

• Moore renews requests for continuances, falsely claiming overlapping trial obligations. The Medina and Morgan cases are continued, but the Kinas case remains set for July 10.

July 10, 2012

• 11:04 AM: Moore calls the Cuyahoga County Domestic Relations Court and reports a bomb threat.
• 11:10 AM and 11:12 AM: He places two more calls repeating the threat.
• The Lakeside Courthouse and all its departments are evacuated.

Detective Investigation

• Cuyahoga County Detective Paul Soprek traces the anonymous bomb threats to a cell phone registered to Stafford & Stafford, Moore’s law firm.
• Verizon Wireless records confirm the calls came from Moore’s cell phone using *67 to block caller ID.

January 3, 2013

• According to the 2025 indictment, the scheme to kidnap Aliza Sherman began on this date.
• Prosecutors allege Moore began planning to interfere with her divorce proceedings.

Timeline: Events Leading to and Following the Murder of Aliza Sherman

Sunday, March 24, 2013 – Day of the Murder

• 2:31 PM – Gregory Moore texts Aliza Sherman asking her to meet him at the Stafford Law Office at 4:30 PM and requests that she notify him when she leaves.
• 2:55 PM, Aliza texts her daughter Jennifer that she’s going to meet Moore. Jennifer, studying for a pharmacology exam, does not see the message immediately. Aliza also calls her childhood friend Jan Lash and tells her about the 5:00 PM meeting. Jan offers to accompany her, but Aliza declines.
• 3:54 PM – Sherman texts Moore: “Leaving now, will be there by 4:30.”
• Moore replies: “Take time, closer to 5.”
• 3:57 PM – Sherman texts: “I left, will wait, call me when you get there.”

These messages lead Aliza to drive from Beachwood, Ohio, to Erieview Plaza in downtown Cleveland and wait outside the building.

• 3:51 PM – Moore uses his electronic access to swipe into the building. It is unclear whether he enters or just swipes.
• 4:07–7:30 PM – Moore is not seen inside the Stafford Law building during this time.
• 4:15 PM – Moore calls Sherman but does not speak to her and never calls back.
• 4:19 PM – Sherman texts: “Sorry couldn’t get phone … Got here quicker than I thought. Let [me] know when u are here. I will wait in my car … No problem.”
• 4:23–7:32 PM – Moore disconnects his phone from the Verizon network, disabling calls and tower tracking. However, he still sends/receives texts using another device and a Stafford Law mobile hotspot.
• 5:11 PM – Moore resumes texting Sherman using a workaround:
• 5:13 PM – Sherman texts: “Will u be here soon standing outside building if not will go back to my car.”
• 5:14 PM – Sherman texts again: “Will u be here soon? Kind of cold.”
• 5:15 PM – Moore replies: “Been here.”
• 5:16 PM – Sherman texts: “Doors locked. I thought u would text me when u got here. Been in car 45 min. It’s ok how do I get in?”
• 5:22 PM – Sherman texts: “If u are here why don’t you let me in? I guess I will go back to my car. Too cold. Text me when door is open thx.”
• During this time, an unidentified assailant (believed to be Moore or a co-conspirator) approaches from East 12th Street, chases Sherman, and stabs her more than 10 times. The suspect flees east on Hamilton Ave toward East 17th Street. A man in a nearby building hears her screams and rushes downstairs. He finds Aliza struggling to stand, covered in blood, and calls 911. He tries to help Aliza lie down and keep her airway clear.As emergency sirens approach, he pleads: “Lady, stay with me, alright? They’re coming.”
• 5:41 PM – Moore resumes texting Sherman despite his phone being “offline”: Texts ask Sherman where she is and request she call him. This is allegedly done to fabricate an alibi and create the illusion Moore was unaware of her attack.
• 6:14 PM Paramedics transport Aliza to MetroHealth Medical Center, where she is pronounced dead at 6:14 PM.
• 7:30 PM – Moore enters the Stafford Law building through a side dock entrance, away from the ongoing crime scene investigation.
• 7:32 PM – Moore reconnects his phone to Verizon and begins calling Sherman:
• 7:32 PM, 7:33 PM, 7:43 PM – Moore places three calls to Sherman’s phone.
• 7:32 PM – 9:05 PM – Moore continues placing calls/texts to create further false evidence of concern and lack of knowledge.

March 25, 2013 – Day After the Murder

• 8:23 AM – Moore arrives at the Stafford Law Office.
• 8:51 AM – Stafford Law employee attempts to cancel the mobile hotspot linked to Moore. A Stafford Law employee deletes a voicemail left by Aliza Sherman on the law firm’s call box system, removing evidence from March 24.
• Moore tells Cleveland Homicide Detectives that he was in his office until 9:00 PM on the day of the murder.

March 29, 2013

• Moore files a Notice of Suggestion of Death in the divorce case Sherman v. Sherman.

April 2, 2013

• Sherman v. Sherman divorce case is officially dismissed—there is no trial.
• Moore changes cellular devices but keeps the same number under Stafford Law’s Verizon account, using authorization from the same person who gave him hotspot access in January.

March 2013 – 2014

• Cleveland Police release surveillance video in an attempt to identify the suspect. Video
• The video shows a person in a hooded sweatshirt and jeans, but their face is not visible.
• Despite public tips, the investigation stalls with no arrests.

January 28, 2016

• Gregory Moore is indicted on multiple charges in connection to Aliza’s murder investigation:
• Tampering with evidence
• Obstructing official business
• Falsification
• Telecommunications fraud
• Two counts of forgery
• Investigators determine Moore lied:
• He had texted Aliza to meet at his office.
• He told police he was there waiting, but cellphone data and electronic keycard logs proved he never entered the building.
• Witness statements supported this finding.
• Aliza’s family publicly states their belief that the attack was targeted, possibly connected to her ongoing contentious divorce proceedings.
• Investigators question her estranged husband, Howard Sherman, but he denies involvement and is never charged.

2017

• The case gains renewed attention after being featured in local news specials and national true crime outlets.
• Cleveland Police reaffirm that the case remains open and active, though no new suspects are named.
• Moore had previously served six months in jail in 2017 for lying to investigators and making bomb threats to delay court proceedings

2018

• Resignation of Law License: Moore resigned his legal license pending discipline for his crimes.

2020 –2025

• Aliza’s children continue to advocate for justice, hold memorial events, and push for new leads.
• The case remains unsolved as of 2025.
• The attacker has never been identified, and the murder weapon was never recovered.
• The case had remained unsolved for over a decade until the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation reopened it in 2021, applying advanced technology and investigative techniques that led to Moore’s indictment and arrest.

On March 24, 2013, 53-year-old Aliza Sherman, a respected Cleveland Clinic nurse and mother of four, arrived at 55 Erieview Plaza in downtown Cleveland for a scheduled meeting with her divorce attorney.

While waiting outside the office building, Aliza was viciously attacked and stabbed 11 times. She was discovered lying on the sidewalk with multiple stab wounds and was rushed to the hospital, where she was later pronounced dead.

The attack occurred in broad daylight and shocked the Cleveland community. For more than a decade, the case remained unsolved—until May 2025, when Aliza’s former divorce attorney, Gregory J. Moore, was indicted and arrested for her murder and kidnapping



December 1, 2023 – February 15, 2024:
– Gregory Moore is accused of engaging in a scheme to defraud multiple financial institutions and organizations by making materially false representations to obtain funds.

• Specific Allegations:
  During this period, Moore submitted fraudulent loan applications and financial documents with the intent to deceive banks and credit unions. He allegedly falsified:
• Income
• Employment details
• Bank statements
• Tax documents
• Mail Fraud (18 U.S.C. § 1341):
• Count 1:
  Moore used the United States Postal Service and/or private carriers to send or receive documents related to fraudulent applications.
• Wire Fraud (18 U.S.C. § 1343):
• Counts 2–7:
  Moore transmitted loan applications and supporting documents over the internet to financial institutions.

Legal Actions

• May 2, 2025:
  An indictment is filed against Gregory Moore in federal court in the Southern District of Mississippi. Charges include:
• 1 count of mail fraud
• 6 counts of wire fraud