January 27, 2011, at 9 a.m., The autopsy report of Ellen R. Greenberg, conducted by the Philadelphia Medical Examiner’s Office on January 27, 2011, lists the cause of death as multiple stab wounds and the manner of death as homicide.

Key Findings:

• Multiple stab wounds to the chest, abdomen, and back of the neck.
• An incised wound on the right occipital scalp.
• Injuries affecting major internal structures, including:
• Aortic arch
• Upper lobe of the left lung
• Liver
• Cervical spinal cord (C2-C3 level)
• Presence of bilateral hemothorax (blood in both chest cavities).
• Knife found embedded in the chest wound, with a blade length of 12.5 cm.
• Bruising (contusions) on the upper and lower extremities, indicating possible prior trauma.

Internal Examination:

• No fractures to the facial bones, clavicles, sternum, or pelvic bones.
• No injuries to the tongue or oral cavity, which might suggest a lack of defensive struggle.
• Normal heart and coronary arteries.
• Presence of subarachnoid hemorrhage over the cerebellar hemisphere and vermis.
• No fractures to the skull base or calvarium.
• No brain herniation.

Notable Observations:

• The depth and severity of the wounds, particularly those to the chest, neck, and spinal cord, would likely impair movement or self-inflicted repetition.
• The stab wounds to the back of the neck raise serious doubts about the possibility of suicide, as this location is difficult to reach.
• The original ruling of homicide contradicts the later reclassification to suicide, which has sparked controversy in the case. Second Autopsy 
  
• Other Findings: Hemorrhaging in soft tissues.

Cause and Manner of Death: The autopsy concluded that the cause of death was multiple stab wounds, and the manner of death was initially classified as  homicide.

Detailed Breakdown of Each Stab Wound from Ellen Greenberg’s Autopsy Report

The autopsy report documents 20 stab wounds across different regions of Ellen Greenberg’s chest, abdomen, neck, and scalp. Below is a stab wound-by-stab wound breakdown, categorized by location.

1. Chest Wounds

Stab Wound “A”

• Location: Midline of the chest, 30 cm below the top of the head.
• Size: 0.4 cm x 0.2 cm.
• Depth: 0.2 cm.
• Pathway: Front to back.
• Other Findings: Hemorrhaging in soft tissues.

Stab Wound “B”

• Location: Midline of the chest, 31 cm below the top of the head.
• Size: 0.3 cm x 0.3 cm.
• Depth: 0.2 cm.
• Pathway: Front to back.
• Other Findings: Hemorrhaging in soft tissues.

Stab Wound “C”

• Location: Right side of the chest, 29 cm below the top of the head, 4.5 cm to the right of midline.
• Size: 2 cm x 0.6 cm.
• Depth: 1.4 cm.
• Pathway: Slightly right to left, front to back, and slightly upward.
• Other Findings: Hemorrhaging in muscles of the right chest and beneath the right clavicle.

Stab Wound “D”

• Location: Right side of the chest, 33 cm below the top of the head, 2.7 cm to the right of midline.
• Size: 0.3 cm x 0.1 cm.
• Depth: 0.2 cm.
• Pathway: Front to back.
• Other Findings: Hemorrhaging in soft tissues.

Stab Wound “E”

• Location: Left side of the chest, 33 cm below the top of the head, 2.5 cm to the left of midline.
• Size: 1.7 cm x 0.5 cm.
• Depth: 10 cm.
• Pathway: Left to right, front to back, slightly downward.
• Other Findings:2.4 cm incision in aortic arch.
• Incision in upper lobe of left lung.
• 120 mL blood in pericardial sac.
• 600 mL of blood in left pleural cavity, 500 mL in right.

Stab Wound “F”

• Location: Midline of chest, 34.5 cm below the top of the head.
• Size: 0.6 cm x 0.2 cm.
• Depth: 0.2 cm.
• Pathway: Front to back.
• Other Findings: Hemorrhaging in soft tissues.

Stab Wound “G”

• Location: Midline of chest, 34.5 cm below the top of the head.
• Size: 0.6 cm x 0.2 cm.
• Depth: 0.2 cm.
• Pathway: Front to back.
• Other Findings: Hemorrhaging in soft tissues.

Stab Wound “H”

• Location: Midline of the chest, 42 cm below the top of the head.
• Size: 1.5 cm x 0.5 cm.
• Depth: 4 cm.
• Pathway: Slightly left to right, front to back.
• Other Findings:2.3 cm deep incision in liver.
• Internal bleeding in abdomen.

2. Abdominal Wound

Stab Wound “I”

• Location: Midline of abdomen, 46 cm below the top of the head.
• Size: 2 cm x 0.8 cm.
• Depth: 6 cm.
• Pathway: Slightly left to right, front to back.
• Other Findings: Hemorrhaging in abdominal muscles and internal bleeding.

3. Scalp Wound

Incised Wound “J”

• Location: Right occipital scalp, 8 cm above the right ear.
• Size: 6.5 cm x 1.1 cm.
• Depth: Through the skin and scalp.
• Pathway: Oblique orientation.
• Other Findings: Clean incised wound.

4. Neck Wounds

Stab Wound “K”

• Location: Posterior neck, 9 cm below the top of the head, 2 cm to the left of midline.
• Size: 2 cm x 0.2 cm.
• Depth: 0.3 cm.
• Pathway: Slightly left to right, back to front.
• Other Findings: Hemorrhaging in soft tissues.

Stab Wound “L”

• Location: Posterior neck, 14 cm below the top of the head, 4 cm to the left of midline.
• Size: 1.1 cm x 0.6 cm.
• Depth: 0.2 cm.
• Pathway: Slightly left to right, back to front.
• Other Findings: Hemorrhaging in soft tissues.

Stab Wound “M”

• Location: Midline of posterior neck, 11 cm below the top of the head.
• Size: 0.2 cm x 0.1 cm.
• Depth: 0.3 cm.
• Pathway: Back to front.
• Other Findings: Hemorrhaging in soft tissues.

Stab Wound “N”

• Location: Posterior neck, 13 cm below the top of the head, 0.5 cm to the left of midline.
• Size: 1.1 cm x 0.4 cm.
• Depth: 8 cm.
• Pathway: Left to right, back to front, slightly upward.
• Other Findings:Defect in ligamentum nuchae.
• Small vessel incision near cerebellum.
• Subarachnoid hemorrhage over cerebellum.

Stab Wound “O”

• Location: Posterior neck, 14 cm below the top of the head, 6.5 cm behind right ear.
• Size: 1.2 cm x 0.6 cm.
• Depth: 3 cm.
• Pathway: Right to left, back to front.
• Other Findings: Hemorrhaging in soft tissues.

Stab Wound “P”

• Location: Posterior neck, 13.5 cm below the top of the head, 2 cm to the right of midline.
• Size: 1 cm x 0.3 cm.
• Depth: 2.1 cm.
• Pathway: Right to left, back to front.
• Other Findings: Hemorrhaging in soft tissues.

Stab Wound “Q”

• Location: Posterior neck, 15 cm below the top of the head, 3 cm to the left of midline.
• Size: 0.6 cm x 0.3 cm.
• Depth: 2 cm.
• Pathway: Slightly left to right, back to front.
• Other Findings: Hemorrhaging in soft tissues.

Stab Wound “R”

• Location: Posterior neck, 16 cm below the top of the head, 3 cm to the left of midline.
• Size: 0.9 cm x 0.6 cm.
• Depth: 1.9 cm.
• Pathway: Slightly left to right, back to front.
• Other Findings: Hemorrhaging in soft tissues.

Key Takeaways

• 20 stab wounds across chest, abdomen, neck, and scalp.
• Several deep wounds penetrating major organs.
• Multiple neck wounds, some near the spinal cord and brainstem.
• Bruises on arms and legs suggestive of prior trauma.

Dr. Osbourne ruled the death a  homicide.

Dr. Osborne ruled the death a  suicide

January 11. 2012 report by Dr. Cyril Wecht, a renowned forensic pathologist, concerning the death of Ellen Greenberg. Dr. Wecht was commissioned by Greenberg’s family to conduct an independent review following the controversial ruling of her death as a suicide.

• Ellen’s parents hired Dr. Cyril Wecht, a forensic pathologist, to conduct an independent autopsy review.
• Dr. Wecht’s Key Findings:
• Unusual Nature of Stab Wounds:
• 20 stab wounds (including deep neck and back injuries) are highly inconsistent with suicide.
• Lack of Defensive Wounds:
• While Ellen had no clear defensive wounds, Dr. Wecht argues this does not prove suicide, as she could have been incapacitated early in an attack.
• Concerns Over Crime Scene Handling:
• The apartment was cleaned too soon, and key evidence may have been lost.
• Suspicious Nature of Injuries:
• Stab wounds to the back and neck raise doubts about whether she could have inflicted them herself.

Key Observations from Dr. Wecht’s Report:

• Multiple Stab Wounds: Dr. Wecht emphasized the unusual nature of the case, noting that Ellen sustained 20 stab wounds, including injuries to her chest, abdomen, and back of the neck. He highlighted that suicidal stab wounds are rarely multiple and that stab wounds to the back are particularly uncommon in suicide cases.
• Lack of Defensive Wounds: The report acknowledged the absence of defensive wounds on Ellen’s body. However, Dr. Wecht suggested that this does not conclusively indicate suicide, as the absence could be due to a “blitz” attack, where the victim is overwhelmed quickly and unable to defend herself.
• Scene Investigation: Dr. Wecht raised concerns about the crime scene management, noting that the apartment was cleaned before a thorough forensic examination could be conducted. He also pointed out that key items, such as Ellen’s personal electronics, were removed from the scene prematurely.
• Conclusion: Dr. Wecht concluded that the manner of Ellen Greenberg’s death is “strongly suspicious of homicide.” He recommended a comprehensive re-investigation, including a thorough review of all forensic evidence and witness statements.

 Cyril Wecht Report – Homicide