June 23, 1983 – Early Life

• Ellen Rae Greenberg born in New York City, the only child of Joshua and Sandra Greenberg.
• 1994 – The family moved from New York to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, where Ellen attended Susquehanna Township schools.

2001–2006 – Education and Career Beginnings

• Graduated from Susquehanna Township High School.
• Attended Penn State University, earning a degree in Communications.
• Worked as a “Lionizer,” helping introduce athletes and families to the campus and football program.
• Initially planned to become a speech pathologist, later chose teaching.
• Attended Temple University at night to earn teaching credentials.
• Began her career as a first-grade teacher at Juniata Park Academy in Philadelphia.

2007 – Relationship

• Met Sam Goldberg through a mutual friend on a blind date.

Summer 2010 – Engagement

• After three years of dating, Sam proposed to Ellen on a California beach.
• The couple moved into a sixth-floor apartment at Venice Lofts in Philadelphia, overlooking the Schuylkill River.
• Planned to marry in August 2011.

December 2010 – Increasing Anxiety

• Friends and family noticed Ellen becoming withdrawn and anxious.
• She said she was stressed by work and wedding planning.
• Text to her parents: “I want to leave this place. Get me out.”
• Computer search history showed “suffocation” and “suicide methods.”
• Began seeing a psychiatrist, prescribed Klonopin and Ambien for anxiety and insomnia.

January 8, 2011

• Text to her mother: “I’m starting the med I know u don’t understand but I can’t keep living with feeling this way.”

January 10, 2011

• More searches on her computer for “quick death,” “painless suicide,” and euthanasia articles.

January 12, 2011

• First Psychiatric Appointment Provider: Psychiatrist (unnamed in available records). 
• Chief Complaint: Persistent anxiety and inability to manage stress from work. Ellen described feeling anxious for “a couple of months” before this session and denied ever experiencing such severe anxiety in her life.

January 17, 2011 –

• Second Psychiatric Appointment:  Ellen reported she did not take her prescribed sleep medication because she “wanted to keep working.”
• She reiterated her desire to resign from her teaching job, discussing her contractual obligations if she quit mid-year.
• Records indicate she even searched for teaching positions in Harrisburg but found none available.
• The psychiatrist noted Ellen had a history of stress-related career changes, referencing that she previously changed her college major due to performance anxiety.

January 19, 2011

• Third Psychiatric Appointment: Ellen reported improvement in symptoms after switching from Zoloft to Klonopin.
• She said she was “not worrying about parents,” though it was unclear whether this referred to her own parents or the parents of her students.
• Reiterated compulsive cleaning behaviors — organizing and cleaning excessively, especially when stressed.
• Psychiatrist listed diagnosis code: Adjustment Disorder with Anxiety.
• No signs of active suicidal ideation or psychosis were documented.
• The psychiatrist noted that Ellen appeared calmer and “goal-directed.”
• This was her final psychiatric visit, one week before her death.

January 22, 2011

• Mailed wedding save-the-date cards.
• Helped a friend shop for bridesmaid dresses; cried and said, “I know I’m not myself, but I’ll get it together.”

January 26, 2011 – Day of Death

Morning–Afternoon

• 7:00 AM – Spoke with her mother by phone.
• 12:00 PM – Text from friend: “Yah, you are getting out early.” Ellen replied, “Thank goodness.”
• 1:09 pm – Call made to co-worker, per ‘Contacts’ info – Call lasted 14:49
• 1:15 PM – Left work early due to snowstorm.
• 1:26 PM – Bought $41.20 of gas at Umbria Street station.
• 1:32 pm: Ellen enters the parking garage of the apartment complex, per key card swipe
• 1 :51 pm Received a text from a friend
• 1:53 pm: Fiance enters the parking garage of the apartment complex, per keycard swipe
• 2:33 PM – Called a local restaurant.
• Entered grades for her students remotely.
• 3:47 PM – Sent her final text message.
• 4:45 PM – Sam left for the gym; surveillance confirmed.
• 4:46 PM – Ellen used her laptop.
• 4:51 pm: Fiance enters the gym of the apartment building, per key card swipe Corroborated by surveillance video in the lobby

5:30–6:30 PM – Unaccounted Period

• 5:24 pm – Missed Call from family friend, per ‘Contacts’ info
• 5:30 PM – Sam returned; found door latched from inside.
• Texted Ellen repeatedly:
  “Hello / open the door / what r u doin / im getting pissed / hello / you better have an excuse / what the f*** / ahhh / u have no idea.”
• 5:42 pm – Call from individual saved in contacts, per ‘Contacts’ info
• 5:44 PM – Neighbors heard him calling her name.
• 5:47 to 6:03 pm – Seven calls from fiance, per ‘Contacts’ info
• 6:00 PM – Went to lobby; doorman Phil Hanton declined to break the lock.
• 6:07–6:10 PM – Two unanswered calls made from the lobby to Ellen’s phone.
• 6:11 to 6:13 pm – Two calls from fiance, per ‘Contacts’ info
• 6:13 pm: Fiance on surveillance video getting on a lobby elevator
• 6:14 PM – Called cousin Kamian Schwartzman for advice.
• 6:21 pm – Call from front desk, per ‘Contacts’ info
• 6:23 PM – Entered elevator; 6:28 PM – Returned upstairs after phone call.
• 6:25 pm: Fiance on surveillance video leaving a lobby elevator
• 6:26 PM – Sam was on the phone with Kamian and James Schwartzman (his uncle, an attorney). They advised him to force entry.
• 6:30 PM – Forced entry into apartment.
• 6:31 PM – Found Ellen slumped on the kitchen floor with a knife in her chest.
• 6:33 PM – Called 911. Operator instructed him to remove Ellen’s sweater and begin CPR.
  Upon lifting her, he realized the knife was embedded in her chest and was told to stop compressions
• 6:36 PM – Paramedics arrived and found Ellen unresponsive, seated upright against the kitchen cabinets.
• 6:40 PM – Ellen pronounced dead.
• 6:42 pm: Firemen on surveillance video getting on a lobby elevator
• 6:45 pm: Police officer on surveillance video getting on a lobby elevator
• 6:47 pm: Medics on surveillance video getting on a lobby elevator
• 8:15 pm: Detectives from the Philadelphia Police Department responded
• 8:27 pm: MEO investigator arrived at the scene
• 9:20 pm: Homicide Detective from the Philadelphia Police Department responded
• 9:55 pm: Final documented assessment of the body at the scene made by MEO investigator
• 10:30 pm, everyone (including Ellen’s fiance) reportedly left the sixth floor, except for one police officer who guarded the door to unit 603. The fiance was reportedly witnessed getting into a police vehicle and leaving the premises, with his family following.
• 11 :25 pm: Fiance arrived by police transport to the Northwest Detectives Division of the Philadelphia Police Department for questioning

Scene Observations

• Found slumped on the kitchen floor with a knife embedded four inches in her chest.
• 20 total stab wounds; 10 to the back of the neck.
• No forced entry other than broken latch.
• Blueberries and an orange prepared on the counter.
• Wearing sweatshirt, t-shirt, sweatpants, UGG boots.
• White towel in her left hand.
• 8:27 PM – Detectives arrived; case number DC 11-05-001577.

Aftermath and Behavior  Source

• Sam immediately contacted his family. His uncle James Schwartzman and cousin Kamian arrived later that evening.
• Police logs show Sam and family remained at the scene while investigators arrived.
• The next day, before the autopsy was completed, Schwartzman contacted the property manager requesting access to retrieve Sam’s clothing and belongings.
• The apartment was cleaned by a professional service before detectives could return.

January 27, 2011 – Autopsy

• 2:00 and 2:30 am More police officers reportedly arrived at the apartment building sometime between 2:00 and 2:30 am to remove Ellen’s body and locked the apartment door behind them.
• 9:00 AM – Dr. Marlon Osbourne performed autopsy.
• Multiple stab wounds to chest, abdomen, and neck.
• Fatal injuries to aortic arch, left lung, and cervical spine.
• Bruising at various stages of healing.
• Initially ruled homicide.

January 27, 2011 – Scene Access

• Property manager, following instruction from a police contact, arranged a crime-scene cleanup before autopsy completed.
• Fiancé’s uncle, attorney James Schwartzman, accessed apartment and removed Ellen’s purse, laptop, and phone.

January 29, 2011 – Police Statement

• PPD said they were “leaning toward suicide” and cited Ellen’s mental health.
• Lt. Raymond Evers: “No maniac on the loose.”
• Police collected three laptop computers and one iPhone from a male. relative of Ellen’s fiance. These items were submitted for forensic analysis
• Police interviewed three of Ellen’s friends during their investigation. All three friends described Ellen as being stressed, anxious, and/or depressed about her work as a school teacher.

February 1, 2011

• Police submitted swabs of brown stains on the apartment’s kitchen cabinet, freezer door handle, and countertop for serology testing.

February 5, 2011 

• Medic who responded to the 911 call regarding unit 603 reportedly saw Ellen’s fiance seated in the sixth-floor hallway. The medic described the fiance as wearing a blue T-shirt and gray sweatpants. While heading to the apartment, the medic reportedly overheard Ellen’s fiance asking the property manager if Ellen was breathing and if she was ok. After assessing Ellen in the apartment, the medic pronounced her dead at the scene. When the medic informed the fiance that Ellen was dead, he reportedly slid down the hallway wall into a seated position and rolled onto the floor, saying, “I can’t believe it!” and “We just sent out the save the date cards!”

February 25, 2011

• Police were contacted by the apartment building’s property manager. 
• The property manager reported that Ellen’s parents were at the building to collect some of Ellen’s belongings. At some point that day, one of the parents used the lobby restroom near the building’s gym and discovered “a small amount of blood.” This parent proceeded to station themself at the door to the bathroom and requested that police come and test the blood for DNA. The property manager reassured them that the bathroom was used regularly by both residents and guests. They also informed them that the bathroom was cleaned twice daily and pointed to a “Wet Floor” sign, indicating the bathroom had recently been cleaned. Officers from the police crime scene unit responded, photographed the area, and sampled the blood for testing

March–April 2011 – Reversal to Suicide

• Meeting between PPD, DA’s Office, and MEO.
• Dr. Osbourne changed manner of death from homicide to suicide.
• Death certificate amended March 7, 2011.
• April 1 – Computer forensics confirmed suicide-related searches.
• April 15 – MEO report revised to state doorman present during forced entry (later disproven).

2012 – Independent Expert Findings

• Family obtained autopsy and scene photos.
• Dr. Cyril Wecht – “Strongly suspicious of homicide.”
• Dr. Wayne Ross – “Scene findings indicative of homicide.”

April 4, 2017 – Detective Report

• Detective Scott Eelman concluded blood evidence inconsistent with the final position of Ellen’s body.
• Found evidence body had been moved postmortem.

2018 – Neuropathology Review

• January – DA Larry Krasner referred case to Pennsylvania Attorney General.
• January 28 – Dr. Henry C. Lee reported number and type of wounds and bloodstain patterns consistent with homicide.

2019 – Renewed Review and Lawsuit

• June – Family submitted all expert reports to the Medical Examiner’s Office and requested reconsideration.
• August 29 – Dr. Lindsay Emery found one spinal wound inflicted postmortem, showing Ellen was already dead when it occurred.
• October 15 – Family filed a civil lawsuit against the City of Philadelphia and the Medical Examiner’s Office seeking to reverse the suicide ruling.
• Doorman Philip Hanton’s declaration contradicted Sam Goldberg’s account.
• Surveillance footage confirmed Goldberg entered alone.

2020–2021 – Litigation and New Evidence

• January 2020 – Judge allowed case to proceed; paused due to pandemic.
• October 2021 – Judge Glynnis Hill ruled trial could move forward; city appealed.
• January 28, 2021 – Surveillance footage produced showing Goldberg alone.
• March 2021 – Family presented new forensic analysis showing Ellen could not have inflicted all wounds.
• May 2021 – Confirmed Dr. Emery’s 2019 findings that one stab wound was postmortem.
• April and August 2021 – Dr. Gulino testified he still supported the suicide ruling despite postmortem evidence.

December 2021 – AG Review

• Greenbergs provided new materials to Attorney General’s Office.
• December – AG recused due to conflict; case transferred to Chester County DA for independent review.

2022 – Case Transferred

• February – Commonwealth Court stayed the trial pending appeal.
• August – Case officially transferred to Chester County District Attorney’s Office.

2023 – New Forensic Analysis

• March – Dr. Lindsay Emery determined Ellen’s spinal dura was punctured, meaning she would have been incapacitated before additional stab wounds could be self-inflicted.
• May – Findings submitted to court.
• July – Court denied city’s motion to dismiss, allowing case to proceed.

2024 – Supreme Court and DA Decisions

• July – Pennsylvania Supreme Court granted appeal.
• August – Court agreed to hear arguments challenging the suicide ruling.
• November 8 – Chester County DA announced no charges, placing the case on inactive status.
• December 11 – Judge Michael Erdos publicly questioned the 2011 change from homicide to suicide, calling it “baffling.”

February 2, 2025 – Settlement

• City of Philadelphia reached settlement with the Greenbergs.
• $650,000 payment to the family.
• Medical Examiner’s Office to re-evaluate Ellen’s manner of death.
• Attorney Joe Podraza: “After 14 years, the original pathologist finally acknowledges Ellen’s death should not be labeled suicide.”

February–August 2025 – Enforcement Dispute

• February 6, 2025 – Governor Josh Shapiro confirmed case remains under Chester County DA jurisdiction.
• June, 2025 – City’s promised review deadline passed with no update.
• August, 2025 – Family filed motion to enforce settlement, stating the reexamination had not begun and no communication occurred.
• City spokesperson responded that the city “will fulfill its obligations in due course.”

September 3, 2025 – Hearing

• Judge Carpenter criticized the city for delay:
  “Under no one’s definition of expeditious is six months expeditious.”
  “I never really understood why this couldn’t be changed to undetermined from the beginning.”
• Hearing continued to October 14, 2025.

September 29, 2025 – Hulu Docuseries

• Hulu released “Death in Apartment 603: What Happened to Ellen Greenberg?”
• The program highlighted:
• 20+ stab wounds to back, neck, and chest.
• Bruising inconsistent with self-inflicted injuries.
• Questions surrounding the locked-door assumption.

October 7, 2025 – Dr. Simon Review

• Philadelphia Medical Examiner’s Office released new 32-page review led by Dr. Lindsay Simon.
• Findings:
• Reaffirmed suicide ruling.
• 23 total stab injuries; bruises of different ages.
• No defensive wounds, no foreign DNA.
• Internal neck hemorrhages noted but not deemed evidence of assault.
• Concluded Ellen’s injuries “not inconsistent with self-infliction.”

October 8–9, 2025 – Family Response

• Attorney Joseph Podraza denounced the report as “deeply flawed and shameful.”
• Claimed review ignored key evidence:
• Unreleased surveillance footage.
• 3D wound mapping and reenactment showing non-self-inflicted angles.
• Bruises and possible postmortem injuries.

October 14, 2025 – Scheduled Court Hearing

• Philadelphia Common Pleas Court scheduled hearing on the new review and the Greenbergs’ objections.
• Family seeks reclassification to “undetermined” or reopening of the investigation by a special prosecutor.

Ongoing (Late 2025)

• The Greenberg family continues pursuing legal remedies.
• Multiple independent pathologists maintain the injuries are not consistent with suicide.
• National coverage grows following the Hulu series and renewed court filings.

Note:
This chronology is based on official records, court filings, family statements, and verified public reporting through October 2025.

Statements and Contradictions

• Sam maintained that the door had been latched from inside, implying no one else could have entered or exited.
• Security guard Phil Hanton later swore in a declaration that he never escorted Sam to the sixth floor and was not present during the forced entry — contradicting what was reported to the Medical Examiner’s Office in 2011.
• The 2025 Dr. Simon review reaffirmed that the latch could only be engaged from inside, yet experts have questioned whether the door could have been manipulated or relatched postmortem.
• Surveillance footage reviewed years later (released in 2021) shows Sam alone in the elevator at 6:32 PM, supporting the guard’s statement that he was unaccompanied.

Unaccounted Time and Disputed Behavior

• Between 5:30 PM and 6:10 PM, there is approximately 40 minutes where Sam was at the apartment door, texting, calling, and allegedly “banging” but did not go to security until after multiple failed attempts.
• This period remains one of the most scrutinized intervals in the case timeline, with both police and independent investigators acknowledging the uncertainty of Ellen’s condition during that window.
• This delay followed by the immediate apartment cleanup and early change in classification — contributed to the loss of critical evidence.
• Sam Goldberg has never been named a suspect by law enforcement.
• No evidence has been made public linking him directly to Ellen’s death.
• The Greenberg family maintains that the locked-door theory should not exclude foul play and that procedural errors and premature cleanup compromised any possibility of a fair investigation.

Death Investigation Report by Stephen Olszewski:  Read Report

8:27 PM: Detective arrived to the scene at 20:27 and was met by Fifth District Police, Snipes 6358 and Young 6960, holding the log. NWDD Sgt. Ferguson 446, Det Veal 9216 and Det Reve 9020, the assigned. DC 11-05- 001577. Homicide Sierra 9103 and Peters 851 arrived a short time later.

The decedents fiancé Samuel Goldberg DOB along with his family and some friends are also present.

• Ellen’s body was found on the hardwood kitchen floor, located just inside the door entrance.
• The decedent is found supine with her head and some of her upper body/shoulders resting against the lower half of the white kitchen cabinets next to the range.
• Her body, starting with the head is facing north and the legs west.
• She is clad in a zipper up dark colored shirt over-top a t-shirt, grey sweatpants, underwear, and light brown UGG boots.
• A pair of eyeglasses are on the floor to the right of the decedent.
• A white towel is grasped in her left hand.
• A hair tie or scrunchie is on her right wrist.
• There are no personal effects on the body.

Upon further examination of the body, the decedent has a knife embedded in her left chest, through her clothing. There are multiple stab wounds examined at the scene; at the chest where the knife is located, a few superficial grouped nearby, one to the left upper chest near the clavicle, 2 more at the mid chest between and just below the breasts. There are defects to the shirts consistent with the underlying wounds.

• There are no defense injuries to the hands, wrists or forearms.
• The right hand is closed in a loose fist.
• Postmortem findings at arrival at 20:27 and 21:55 are the same.
  The body is mostly flaccid. The hands appear to be slightly stiff.
• The body is cool to the touch at the extremities and warm to the touch at the torso, front and back.
• Lividity is inconspicuous.

Body:

Findings are consistent with current position of the body. Blood is present on the head, in tile hair and neck:

• The right hand has blood on it
• On the front side of her shirts, along her pants on tile front side and on the top of both of her boots is blood.
• The right boot has blood on the sole.
• The blood around her his generally confined to the area of the body, on the floor underneath and on the face of the cabinets behind her.
• One small blood spatter is on tile cabinet to the left of the body.
  
• Two separate drops of blood spatter are on the granite counter top above her.

Kitchen:

• Two kitchen knives are in the sink adjacent to the body. They are free of any blood or tissue.
• The sink underneath is dry and also bears no evidence of blood or tissue.
• A knife block is on the counter between the sink and range. It is turned over to the side.
• The three utensils are a spatula, fork and pearing knife, all that bears no evidence of blood or tissue.
• The knife in her body is consistent with the knife set found in the sink and in the block.

Bedroom:

Inside a bedroom drawer, Mr. Olszewski recovered the Victim’s prescription drugs, which included

• Two types of anti-anxiety medication and a sleep aid. 
• The medication had been prescribed by Dr. Ellen Berman, a psychiatrist, who saw the patient on three occasions in the two weeks preceding her death.

Fiance Sam Goldberg Statement 

• Goldberg told the officers who responded to the 9-1-1 call that he had left the couple’s sixth-floor apartment to visit their building’s gym at approximately 4:45 p.m.
• Approximately 45 minutes later, Mr. Goldberg said, he returned to the sixth floor but found the apartment door’s swing bar lock engaged from the inside.
• Goldberg explained that he returned to the building lobby to try to reach the Victim via cell phone calls and text messages. When approximately one hour had passed without a response, Mr. Goldberg said, he decided to enter the apartment by force.
• Goldberg stated that he returned to the sixth floor accompanied by a building security guard, later identified as  Philip Hanton*, and forced open the door. 
• Once inside, Mr. Goldberg discovered the Victim seated on the kitchen floor, with her head slouched over.
• Goldberg recounted that he immediately called 911. In accordance with the emergency operator’s instructions, Mr. Goldberg lifted the Victim’s slouched head in order to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). At that moment, Mr. Goldberg discovered the knife lodged in the Victim’s chest. 
• Medics arrived and pronounced the Victim dead at 6:40 p.m.

Note: * In a written declaration Mr. Hanton stated that that he did not accompany Mr. Goldberg to the sixth floor on the night in question and was not present when Mr. Goldberg entered the apartment.  Hanton Declaration

Key Observations from the Crime Scene Report

Apartment Condition

• Well-kept and clean, no signs of a struggle.
• No missing items, valuables untouched (suggests no robbery or forced theft).
• Three laptops found in different locations:
• One in the kitchen (likely Sam Goldberg’s).
• One in the master bedroom (Ellen’s personal laptop).
• One in another bedroom (likely her work laptop).

Locking Mechanism & Forced Entry

• The swing bar lock was broken with screws loose, indicating it was forced open.
• This contradicts any claim that Ellen was locked inside voluntarily and suggests an external force was needed to enter.

No Evidence of Suicide

• No suicide note or any clear indication of intent found in the apartment.
• No explicit messages on her devices indicating a final goodbye or self-harm intentions.

Rear Patio as an Alternate Exit

• Only other exit was the 6th-floor balcony.
• Snow was undisturbed, meaning no one left that way.
• This supports the theory that no intruder escaped via the balcony.

Weather Conditions & Apartment Temperature

• Winter snowstorm was ongoing.
• Apartment temperature 69°F.
• Further supports that Ellen had been inside for some time before her death.

Read Report

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

Incident Overview

• Date of Incident: January 26, 2011
• Time of Police Response: 6:33 PM
• Location: 4601 Flat Rock Road, Apt. #603
• Victim: Ellen Greenberg (27-year-old White Female)
• Height & Weight: 5’6″, 125 lbs
• Cause of Death: Multiple stab wounds
• Initial Manner of Death Ruling: Homicide (per Dr. Osbourne, Medical Examiner)

Crime Scene Details

Victim’s Body:

• Found: Lying on the kitchen floor, resting against the lower kitchen cabinets.
• Position: Supine (lying on her back), head facing slightly north, legs west.
• Injuries: Multiple stab wounds, including one with a kitchen knife still protruding from her chest.
• Clothing: Wearing a dark gray hooded sweatshirt, light gray sweatpants, and tan UGG boots, all blood-stained.
• Left Hand: Holding an off-white towel (not visibly blood-stained).
• Right Hand: A pair of eyeglasses was found next to it.
• Right Wrist: Had a black hair tie (scrunchie).
• Face: Covered in blood.

Apartment Scene

• Front Door:
• Tan-colored with apartment number 603.
• A Jewish religious prayer inside a glass container was affixed to the right of the door.
• Lock was damaged—screws were partially pulled out.
• Interior Layout:
• Bathroom to the left after entering.
• Bedroom converted to a family room/work area:
• Closet inside the bedroom door.
• Sofa and footrest against the north wall.
• Table with four chairs against the south wall.
• Flat-screen TV on the east wall.
• School papers & test papers on the table.
• Blood Evidence:
• Blood was found on multiple pillows in the apartment.
• The location of the blood on the pillows raised further questions about whether the incident occurred in another part of the apartment before the body was found in the kitchen.
• The presence of bloodstains outside the immediate crime scene suggested possible movement of the victim or struggle before her death.

Autopsy & Medical Examiner’s Report

• Conducted at the Office of the Medical Examiner.
• Examiner: Dr. Osbourne.
• Findings:
• Cause of Death: Multiple stab wounds.
• Manner of Death: Initially ruled Homicide.

Key Observations –  Report

• Blood was found on pillows, indicating that she may have been injured in a different location before collapsing in the kitchen.
• Multiple superficial wounds were present along with deeper stab wounds.
• Her left hand held a towel with no visible bloodstains, raising questions about whether she attempted to stop the bleeding.
• The position of the knife in her chest and the multiple stab wounds raised suspicions about the nature of the attack.
• The police initially treated the case as a homicide, given the stab wounds and circumstances of her death.

First Autopsy Report – Homicide

 2011-01-28 – Police Activity Sheet

2025 Dr Simon Review

The Greenberg Family Hired outside Forensic Experts to look into Ellen’s Death:

Greenberg Family ordered Ellen’s autopsy report, photos of her body from the autopsy, photos of her body at the scene, and the ME’s investigation report from the scene.

Dr. Cyril Wecht’s January 2012 report labeled it “strongly suspicious of homicide.”

January 2012 report of Cyril Wecht, MD, on the death of Ellen Greenberg

Joshua and Sandee Greenberg of Lower Paxton Township, have filed two civil lawsuits, one of which is aimed at convincing a court to overturn the suicide ruling, allowing a full investigation of her death.

2017

April 4, 2017 Detective Scott Eelman Provided a report. He state that Ellen’s Body was moved.

It is my opinion,that Ms. Greenberg wasnot In the position in which she was found at the time that the blood was deposited on her sweat pants, sweat shirt and shoes. lts also my opinion that Ms. Greenberg’s head had been in several positions during the time of blood flow and it remained so for enough time as to have the blood flow across her face and back toward her ear, upward toward her eyes and also downward toward her chin.

It is my opinion that tho blood stain evidence in this case ls inconsistent with positioning which Ms. Greenberg was found. Furthermore. I have serious concerns regarding the patterned blood stain to the loft of Ms. Greenberg’s right leg, the minimal amount of bloodstains on the floor in comparison with those found on the clothing of Ms. Greenberg and the flow patients of the bloodstains on Ms. Greenberg’s face relative 10 the position in which she was found.

June 7, 2012 Dr. Wayne K. Ross issued a report stating “The scene findings were indicative if a homicide”

2018

January 28, 2018 Dr. Henry-C.Lee-PhD issued a report stating “The number and type of wounds and bloodstain patterns are consistent with a homicide.

2019

October 15, 2019, the Parents, in their capacity as administrators of the Victim’s Estate, filed a Complaint in the Trial Court, seeking mandamus and declaratory relief. During the course of pre-trial discovery, the parties submitted several exhibits as evidence.

• a written declaration from Mr. Hanton, the security guard who was on duty at the apartment building on the night of the Victim’s death. R.R., Hanton Declaration. Contrary to Mr. Goldberg’s account, Mr. Hanton maintained that he did not escort Mr. Goldberg to the sixth floor, nor was he present when Mr. Goldberg forced open the apartment door. Declaration of Philip Hanton – Doorman
• The Parents also presented still images from surveillance footage, which confirmed that Mr. Goldberg went up to the apartment alone

2021

Josh and Sandra Greenberg have taken matters into their own hands, hiring attorney Joseph Podraza to help them file a lawsuit against the medical examiner’s office. They seek to have the cause of death officially changed back to homicide.

To support their case, they engaged two neuropathologists to review the autopsy report and examine brain tissue samples from their daughter.

Both experts concluded that suicide is not a viable explanation for Ellen’s death. In October 2021, a Philadelphia judge ruled that the case could proceed to civil court. 

Judge Glynnis D. Hill ruled in October 2021 that the civil suit filed by Ellen’s parents, Joshua and Sandra Greenberg of Harrisburg, against the Medical Examiner’s Office and Dr. Marlon Osbourne could proceed to trial.

The Greenberg’s are seeking to have the manner of their daughter’s death officially changed back to homicide or undetermined. This change would potentially allow for the reopening of the investigation and the filing of a wrongful death or misconduct lawsuit against the city.

Following Judge Hill’s decision, the city filed an appeal, arguing that Hill’s ruling was “an egregious abuse of discretion that ignored binding precedent.” The city contended that even if the medical examiner’s findings were flawed, the law does not compel a change in the manner of death.

2022

• February 2022 The court heard arguments from Joseph Podraza, the Greenberg’s attorney, and Kelly Diffily, a senior attorney with the city’s Law Department, at the Widener Building in Center City.
• February 4, 2022 the Commonwealth Court granted the city’s petition and ordered the civil trial be placed on hold, pending a decision in the appeal case.

2024

July, 2024, the Petition for Allowance of Appeal is Granted

Records:

• January 26, 2011 ME Investigation Report Death by Homicide: 2011-01-27-1st Medical-Examiners-Office-Autopsy-Report-Homicide
  
• April 4, 2011 ME Investigation Report Death by Suicide: 2011-04-04-Official Report Medical Examiner Report Suicide
• April 15, 2011 Philadelphia Medical Examiner Initial Investigative Report: Philadelphia Medical Examiner Initial Investigative Report
• April 2011 Philadelphia Medical Examiner Investigative Report Ellen Greenberg: Philadelphia Medical Examiner Investigative Report April 2011
• April 7, 2011 Philadelphia Police Property Report on Laptops and Cell Phone: Philadelphia Police Property Report on Laptops and Cell Phone
• January 11, 2012 Dr. Cyril Wecht Report – Ellen Greenberg: Dr. Cyril Wecht Report 2012
• January 10, 2017 Dr. Wayne Ross Report – Ellen Greenberg: Dr. Wayne Ross Report 2017
• April 14, 2017 Detective Scott Eelman report – Ellen Greenberg: Detective Scott Eelman report 2018
• January 29, 2018 Dr. Henry C. Lee Report – Ellen Greenberg: Dr. Henry C. Lee Report 2018
• June 19, 2019 Letter to Sam Gulino from Joseph Podraza: Letter to Sam Gulino from Joseph Podraza 2019
• September 20, 2019 Dr. Lewis Lazarus report – Ellen Greenberg: Dr. Lewis Lazarus report 2019
• June 1, 2021 Dr. Wayne Ross – Ellen Greenberg Report: Dr. Wayne Ross Report 2021
• June 28, 2021 Declaration of Phillip Hanton – Ellen Greenberg: Declaration of Phillip Hanton

February 2, 2025

The Greenbergs reached a settlement with the city, which has agreed to pay an undisclosed amount. Additionally, the Medical Examiner’s Office will re-evaluate Ellen’s manner of death. Josh and Sandee consider Osbourne’s verification sufficient.

“To us, it means that we’ve accomplished our role that Ellen did not commit a suicide. Here you have the original pathologist, finally, after 14 years after Ellen’s death and five years of litigation acknowledging that her manner of death should not be suicide but should be deemed something else,” said Joe Podraza, the Greenberg family’s attorney.

Greenberg’s have argued since 2021 that a re-examination of forensic evidence shows Ellen could not have caused some of the wounds — at least one was caused after she had died, according to medical tests contained in court filings.

• Date and Time of Incident: January 26, 2011, shortly after 6:40 PM.
• Location: Venice Loft apartments, 4601 Flat Rock Road, Philadelphia.
• Discovery of the Body: The woman was found by her fiancé, who reported finding her bloody and unresponsive on the kitchen floor.
• Condition of the Victim: She was found with a knife in her chest and was not breathing.
• Initial Response: Paramedics and EMTs determined she was deceased and left the scene.
• Police Investigation: Officer Jamie Budd arrived at 7:34 PM, requested the medical examiner, and contacted lead investigator Steve Olszewski.
• Scene Details: The bar lock on the front door was broken, consistent with the fiancé’s description. The apartment was tidy, with no signs of struggle or burglary.
• Medications: Alprazolam (Xanax), clonazepam (Klonopin), and zolpidem (Ambien) were found in the bedside drawer, along with a small notebook detailing medication effects.
• Family Statements: The decedent’s parents mentioned a sudden onset of out-of-character anxiety.
• Investigation: Upon discovering the body, police found no evidence indicating an intruder. The six-story apartment could only be accessed through the front door or an exterior balcony, and the fresh layer of snow outside was undisturbed. There were no signs of a robbery; valuables were visible and untouched. Greenberg’s parents told the police they had no reason to suspect her fiancé.

The Official Report:

The location of death is in the kitchen of the decedents apartment located at the Venice Loft Apartments, 4601 Flat Rock Rd unit 603, Philadelphia, PA 19127. It is a two bedroom apartment on the 6th floor of the building, shared by the decedent with her fiancé, Samuel GOLDBERG.

Items

The apartment is well kept, clean. The inside lock to the front door, a common latch/solid bar door guard, is broken with the screws on the door loose, obviously forced in when in a lock ed position.

Throughout the entire apartment, there is no evidence of a struggle.

• Furniture and items appear in place, nothing is obviously missing or disturbed.
• There are numerous valuables present, money, keys, 3 laptop computers; one in the kitchen on the island (appears to be GOLDBERG’S), one in the master bedroom suite on the floor (appears to be the decedents, as evidenced by wedding material and one on an additional bedroom desk (appears to be the decedents work computer, as evidenced by numerous teaching materials).

The decedent is a teacher. There is no note found or anything indicative of suicide on the computers or in the rest of the apartment. The only way to exit the apartment with the front doorway locked is through a rear slider leading to a patio. The patio is 6 stories high. There is snow present with no tracks or footprints, completely undisturbed. The ambient temperature is inside the apartment reads 69 Deg F on a thermostat. The incident occurred during a winter snowstorm.

• Prescription medication are recovered from a bed stand located in the master bedroom, Prescriber, Dr Ellen Berman Rx: alprazolam, clonazepam and zolpidem.
• A paper booklet is in the decedents pocketbook that’s on a chair at the living room island, resembles a journal of her medications and her state of mind while taking, last dated 1/16..
• The decedents cell phone is in the master bathroom.

Review of Ellen’s calls and messages log reveals:

• last outgoing call was to a number “redacted”
  
• last missed call was to a programmed, on 1/26/11 at 14:33 duration 30 seconds
• Additional missed calls from a programmed Sam Goldberg on 01/26/11 between 5:30 PM – 5:42 PM (17:30-17:42) and programmed Venice Lofts
• last outgoing text to a programmed 01/26/11 at 15:47 
• last incoming texts and an email from a programmed Sam Goldberg on 1/26/11 between 5:32 PM – 5:54 PM (17:32-17:54)
• Hello
• Open the door
• what r u doin
• im getting pissed
• hello
• you better have an excuse
• what the fuck
• ahhh
• u have no idea

The Location and Position of the Body:

The decedent is on the hardwood kitchen floor, located just inside the door entrance. The decedent is found supine with her head and some of her upper body/ shoulders resting against the lower half of the white kitchen cabinets next to the range.

• Her body, starting with the head is facing north and the legs west.
  
• She is clad in a zipper up dark colored shirt over top a t-shirt, grey sweatpants, underwear, and light brown UGG boots.
  A pair of eyeglasses are on the floor to the right of the decedent.
• A white towel is grasped in her left hand.
• A hair tie or scrunchie is on her right wrist.
• There are no personal effects on the body.

Injuries

Upon further examination of the body, the decedent has a knife embedded in her left chest, through her clothing.

There are multiple stab wounds examined at the scene; at the chest where the knife is located, a few superficial grouped nearby, one to the left upper chest near the clavicle, 2 more at the mid chest between and just below the breasts. There are defects to the shirts consistent with the underlying wounds.

• There are no defense injuries to the hands, wrists or forearms.
• The right hand is closed in a loose fist.
• Postmortem findings at arrival at 20:27 and 21:55 are the same.
• The body is mostly flaccid. The hands appear to be slightly stiff.
• The body is cool to the touch at the extremities and warm to the touch at the torso, front and back.
• Lividity is inconspicuous.

Findings are consistent with current position of the body.

Blood:

• Blood is present on the head, in the hair and neck.
  The right hand has blood on it.
• On the front side of her shirts, along her pants on the front side and on the top of both of her boots is blood.
• The right boot has blood on the sole.
• The blood around her his generally confined to the area of the body, on the floor underneath and on the face of the cabinets behind her.
• One small blood spatter is on the cabinet to the left of the body.
• Two separate drops of blood spatter are on the granite counter top above her

Two kitchen knives are in the sink adjacent to the body. They are free of any blood or tissue. The sink underneath is dry and also bears no evidence of blood or tissue. A knife block is on the counter between the sink and range. It is turned over to the side. The three utensils are a spatula, fork and pearing knife, all that bears no evidence of blood or tissue. The knife in her body is consistent with the knife set found in the sink and in the block.

Interviews

Police at the scene provided the information described in the background section. Uniformed police briefly canvassed the hall. At the time, no neighbors reported any loud noises or arguments.

Investigators reviewed Goldberg’s key fob records and security videos and it matched Goldberg Statements. The Apartment Complex Surveillance videos also showed no signs of unauthorized access of entrances by anyone around the time of Ellen’s death.

A man who lived down the hall from Greenberg said he didn’t hear any commotion the night Ellen Greenberg was found dead.

Investigators looked at Ellen’s laptop computers and found nothing indicative of suicide, the investigation report said. She didn’t leave behind a note.

The psychiatrist, who had been treating her for anxiety, reported that she was happy in her relationship and had denied any abuse. Initially, police suspected the death might be a suicide, particularly because there were no defensive wounds on Greenberg’s body, suggesting she had not fought off an attacker.

Autopsy:

Original Autopsy Findings: However, the following day on January 27, 2011, Dr. Marlon Osbourne reached a different conclusion. In a report dated January 27, he classified the death as a homicide.

Dr. Marlon Osbourne’s findings from the autopsy on January 27, 2011, provide critical details about the cause of death and the nature of the injuries sustained by the decedent:

• Multiple Stab Wounds: The decedent had numerous stab wounds to the chest, abdomen, and back of the neck.
• Critical Injuries: The stab wounds affected vital areas, including the aortic arch, left lung, and cervical spine (c-spine). This indicates severe trauma to essential organs and structures.
• Blade Details: A 12.5 cm (4.9 in) blade was embedded in the wound to the chest, with a depth of 10 cm (3.94 in). This suggests that the weapon used was quite substantial and the wounds were deep.
• Bruising: The presence of multiple bruises at different stages of resolution suggests a pattern of physical altercations or abuse occurring over time.

Osbourne weighed all his observations and reached a manner of death: homicide. With the ME’s ruling, Ellen’s death became the concern of the Philadelphia Homicide Unit.

January 27, 2011

• Homicide Det Sierra and Peters notified of the death.
• Knife recovered during examination, signed over to homicide Detective Sierra
• The identification was completed via telephone by the decedents parents, Joshua and Sandra Greenberg. They were notified of the death by the parents of the decedents fiancee.

January 28, 2011

• Psychiatrist Ellen Berman records subpoenaed, placed in case file
• The identification was completed via telephone by the decedents parents, Joshua and Sandra Greenberg. They were notified of the death by the parents of the decedents fiancee.

Jan. 29, 2011 Police Released a statement:

On Jan. 29, 2011, a police spokesperson said that despite the homicide ruling, authorities were “leaning” toward suicide in Ellen’s case and looking into “mental issues” she might have had.

Lt. Raymond Evers emphasized that the case is still wide open, but he said he wanted to assure residents of Greenberg’s Manayunk neighborhood that there wasn’t “a maniac on the loose.”

March 2011 Change the Manner of Death:

Three months later in March 2011, following meetings with investigators, Dr. Osbourne made an unprecedented decision to change his original ruling. He reversed his earlier classification of the death as a homicide and concluded that Ellen’s death was actually a suicide. interference in a sensitive homicide investigation. Ellen’s parents, Josh and Sandra Greenberg, were astounded by the sudden change. It made no sense to them that Ellen would have inflicted 20 stab wounds on herself.

Greenberg Family Outrage: The deceased’s parents, Joshua and Sandra Greenberg, are deeply troubled by the sudden and suspicious change in the ruling and the apparent mishandling of evidence.

Crime timeline Notes: Here are the key issues and implications:

Premature Cleaning of the Crime Scene:

• Initial Miscommunication: The property manager, unsure if the apartment was a crime scene, contacted law enforcement, who misinformed her that it was not a crime scene and directed her to a crime scene clean-up crew.
• Cleaning Prior to Investigation: By the time the correct ruling of homicide was made, the apartment had been professionally cleaned, leading to the loss of critical evidence. The absence of the victim’s personal belongings—purse, cell phone, and laptop—complicated the investigation further.

Pressure to Change the Manner of Death:

• Change in Ruling: Less than a month after Dr. Osbourne’s initial homicide ruling, he was pressured to change his conclusion to suicide, based on information that the fiancé was accompanied by the building’s doorman into the apartment.
• Altered Findings: Dr. Osbourne’s alteration of the ruling to suicide, despite the initial findings, raises serious questions about the integrity of the investigation and whether external influences may have affected the outcome.

Police Statement: Spokespeople for the police department and DA’s office said the fiancé was accompanied into the apartment by the building’s doorman. The apartment door had been locked until broken in by Goldberg. He had remained on scene and was cooperative. There were no signs of an intruder. And the lack of defensive wounds also factored heavily in police’s determination.

Crime timeline Notes: But according to the affidavit by a doorman, he did not accompanied fiancé upstairs Declaration of Philip Hanton – Doorman

The homicide Detective John McNamee, and other assigned detectives believed the information they developed strengthened the case that Ellen had killed herself.

• She was anxious.
• She was found in a locked apartment with no evidence of a struggle.
• No other person’s DNA was on the knife.
• She had no marks on her body that indicated she fought with an attacker.

Detectives believed the shallow punctures on her body were “test or hesitation” wounds made as Ellen considered stabbing herself to death.

The outside Neuropathologist was hired to review:

In an effort to resolve the dispute over manner of death, McNamee suggested hiring an outside Neuropathologist to review a portion of Ellen’s spinal cord to determine if it was damaged by any of the wounds to the back of her neck.

Lucy Rorke-Adams, a renowned neuropathologist who retired from the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia in 2015, to conduct the exam. But instead of having her come to the ME’s Office, Osbourne said he walked a section of Ellen’s spinal cord over to Rorke-Adams at CHOP in “very heavy snow” for an informal “curbside exam.” she didn’t do a microscopic exam but was still able to tell him the dura, or the sheath covering the spinal cord, was cut, but not the spinal cord itself, and there was no indication Ellen lost motor function.

The involvement of Dr. Lucy Rorke-Adams, a respected neuropathologist, in Ellen Greenberg’s case adds another layer to already unprofessional investigation.

1. Informal “Curbside Exam”: The decision to have Dr. Rorke-Adams perform an informal examination outside of a formal setting is notable. Typically, formal neuropathological exams are conducted in a controlled environment with detailed analysis, including microscopic examination. The informal nature of this exam, especially in adverse weather conditions, might raise questions about the thoroughness of the analysis.
2. Findings: Dr. Rorke-Adams’ assessment indicated that while the dura (the protective sheath covering the spinal cord) was cut, the spinal cord itself was not severed. This would align with the possibility that Ellen might have lost sensation in the area affected by the injury,but no indication of losing motor function.
   
3. Implications: The finding that the spinal cord sheath was damaged but not the cord itself suggests that Ellen might have been able to stab herself despite the injury. This supports the idea that she could have been incapacitated enough to continue the act of stabbing herself.
4. Lack of Motor Function Loss: The report that there was no indication of motor function loss is significant. If Ellen had not lost motor function, it could imply that the injury was not severe enough to prevent her from moving or performing actions, though it could still have impacted her sensation or control.
   

No report by Rorke-Adams was created and a bill for her work has never been found. Statement to Enquirer from neuropatholigst Lucy Rorke-Adams

March 7, 2011 Reversed Manner of Death:

After initially ruling Ellen’s death a homicide, on March 7, 2011 the ME’s Office reversed itself and changed the manner of Ellen’s death to suicide, siding with police investigators.

“We couldn’t prove anything else,” McNamee said. “We were just letting things go where it went, and that’s where it went.”

April 1, 2011 Laptop Forensics

Grace provided a search history from Ellen’s computer  between Dec. 18, 2010, and Jan. 10, 2011, that was recovered by law enforcement’s Regional Computer Forensics Laboratory (RCFL) and turned over to police on April 1, 2011. It included the search terms _suicide methods, quick suicide,_ and _painless suicide._ He provided some of Ellen’s text messages, as well.

Death Investigation Report: 2011-01-26 Report of Death Investigation Detective Sierra

April 2011 Philadelphia Medical Examiner Investigative Report Ellen Greenberg: Philadelphia Medical Examiner Investigative Report April 2011

April 7, 2011 Philadelphia Police Property Report on Laptops and Cell Phone: Philadelphia Police Property Report on Laptops and Cell Phone

• January 26, 2011 ME Investigation Report Death by Homicide: 2011-01-27-1st Medical-Examiners-Office-Autopsy-Report-Homicide
  
• April 4, 2011 ME Investigation Report Death by Suicide: 2011-04-04-Official Report Medical Examiner Report Suicide
• April 15, 2011 Philadelphia Medical Examiner Initial Investigative Report: Philadelphia Medical Examiner Initial Investigative Report
• April 2011 Philadelphia Medical Examiner Investigative Report Ellen Greenberg: Philadelphia Medical Examiner Investigative Report April 2011
• April 7, 2011 Philadelphia Police Property Report on Laptops and Cell Phone: Philadelphia Police Property Report on Laptops and Cell Phone
• January 11, 2012 Dr. Cyril Wecht Report – Ellen Greenberg: Dr. Cyril Wecht Report 2012
• January 10, 2017 Dr. Wayne Ross Report – Ellen Greenberg: Dr. Wayne Ross Report 2017
• April 14, 2017 Detective Scott Eelman report – Ellen Greenberg: Detective Scott Eelman report 2018
• January 29, 2018 Dr. Henry C. Lee Report – Ellen Greenberg: Dr. Henry C. Lee Report 2018
• June 19, 2019 Letter to Sam Gulino from Joseph Podraza: Letter to Sam Gulino from Joseph Podraza 2019
• September 20, 2019 Dr. Lewis Lazarus report – Ellen Greenberg: Dr. Lewis Lazarus report 2019
• June 1, 2021 Dr. Wayne Ross – Ellen Greenberg Report: Dr. Wayne Ross Report 2021
• June 28, 2021 Declaration of Phillip Hanton – Ellen Greenberg: Declaration of Phillip Hanton

I. Scope and Mandate

Early 2025 → October 2025  Source

• The Philadelphia MEO assigned Dr. Lindsay Simon (M.D.), Chief Medical Examiner, to conduct a full independent re-evaluation of Case 11-0420 (Ellen Greenberg).
• The explicit task: determine whether the official manner of death—Suicide—should be revised to Homicide or Could Not Be Determined.
• Simon reviewed every available record:
• Original MEO electronic + paper files
• PPD investigative files, call logs, key-swipes, video timelines
• Deposition transcripts of Drs. Osbourne, Gulino, Emery
• Prior consultant reports by Wecht, Ross, Arden, Lee, Brennan, Woodhouse
• Hulu documentary Death in Apartment 603 for contextual accuracy
• Psychiatric notes, toxicology, DNA, and autopsy photography

II. Chronology of the Incident (Compiled by Simon)  Source

January 26 2011 – Afternoon & Evening

Time (approx.) Event (per Simon’s reconstruction)  Source

• 1:32 PM Ellen’s keycard registers entry to apartment garage.
• 1:53 PM Fiancé Sam Goldberg’s card registers garage entry.
• 4:45 PM Goldberg leaves for the building gym.
• 4:51 PM Gym swipe confirmed; visible on CCTV entering.
• 5:20–5:30 PM Goldberg returns, door latched from inside; attempts texts & calls.
• 5:30–6:10 PM Series of elevator movements logged—Goldberg alternates between lobby and unit 603, contacting concierge and maintenance for help.
• 6:29 PM Goldberg forces the door open (per his interview) and finds Ellen on the kitchen floor.
• 6:33 PM 911 call placed.
• 6:35–6:47 PM EMS, fire, and police sequentially arrive; Ellen pronounced
• 6:40 PM. 8:27 PM MEO investigator arrives; photographs scene and body.
• 11:25 PM Fiancé transported to Northwest Detectives Division for interview. (Source: integrated timeline of PPD key-swipes and CCTV verified by Simon — ± 4 minutes variance)

III. Scene Investigation  Source

• Apartment: 6th floor of gated complex; heavy snowstorm, undisturbed snow on balcony → no external entry.
• Findings:
• Ellen supine, shoulders resting against lower kitchen cabinets; knife lodged in left chest.
• Multiple visible chest wounds.
• Blood localized near body; patterned imprint consistent with Ellen’s boot tread.
• No forced entry besides partially detached latch; valuables intact.
• Kitchen sink dry, knives inside clean; no wash-off evidence.
• No defensive wounds or drag marks noted.
• Prescription bottles for alprazolam, clonazepam, zolpidem on bedside table; cell phone in bathroom.
• Opinion (Dr. Simon): Scene consistent with a contained, single-weapon event occurring with the door latched; no secondary clean-up interval feasible.

IV. Autopsy and Injury Review  Source

Original Autopsy (Dr. Marlon Osbourne – Jan 27 2011)

• 20 stab/incised wounds labeled A–T.
• Fatal: Wound E (aortic arch and lung penetration, 10 cm deep).
• Secondary: liver, mesentery, skull base, spinal dura.
• Contusions: right arm, forearm, abdomen, thigh in “various stages of resolution.”
• No neck structure damage; no petechiae.
• Toxicology: sub-therapeutic zolpidem & clonazepam.
• Initial classification: Homicide → amended to Suicide (Apr 4 2011).

Simon’s Additions and Corrections  Source

• Total Injuries: 23 (three omitted perforations noted in photos).
• Internal Findings: clarified pericardial and right-lung injury from Wound E.
• Brain and Cerebellar Hemorrhage: more extensive than documented (bilateral subarachnoid bleeding).
• Bruising: Identified ~10 additional contusions on forehead, neck, chest, buttocks, legs — interpreted as minor and not indicative of assault.
• Neck Hemorrhage: two small areas in sternothyroid muscle consistent with postural impact, not manual strangulation.
• Conclusion: All stab and incised wounds show vital bleeding → inflicted ante-mortem; no post-mortem staging evidence.

V. Postmortem Testing and Forensics  Source

• DNA Testing Knife handle & clothing = Ellen only; underwear = Ellen + fiancé mixture; no foreign DNA. Supports absence of third party.
• Fingerprints Two non-usable prints on knife. No identifiable foreign prints.
• Serology Kitchen swabs positive for human blood; limited area. Consistent with localized incident.
• Toxicology Low-dose clonazepam/zolpidem; no alcohol or illicit drugs. Indicates lucid state, not incapacitated.
• Lobby Bathroom Blood (2/25/11) DNA = unknown male; not Ellen or fiancé. Irrelevant transfer unrelated to case.
• Computer Forensics Laptop search terms: “suicide,” “depressed,” “suicide methods.” Indicates possible ideation.

VI. Witness and Interview Summaries  Source

• Parents (Jan 27 2011): Confirmed Ellen’s anxiety, medication use; denied abuse; called fiancé “fine young man.”
• Psychiatrist (Jan 27 2011): Three sessions only; diagnosed adjustment disorder with anxiety; no suicidal ideation recorded.
• Friends & Co-workers: All describe severe work-related stress, fatigue, sleep loss; no relationship conflict.
• Neighbors: Heard fiancé knocking for ≈1 hour before entry; no arguments or screams.
• Concierge & Maintenance: Confirm door latched from inside; Goldberg appeared worried and sweaty; maintenance advised him to “shoulder it open.”

VII. Comparative Expert Reviews (Summarized by Simon)  Source

• Dr. Cyril Wecht (2012) Multiple stab wounds → “strongly suspicious of homicide.” – Simon’s Assessment: Lacked scene data; focused on statistics of suicide by stabbing (rare but documented).
• Dr. Wayne Ross (2017-24) Claimed manual strangulation, staged scene, post-mortem spinal injury. – Simon:  found no macroscopic or histologic support for post-mortem injury; no neck strap-muscle damage consistent with strangulation.
• Det. Scott Eelman (2017) Blood patterns suggest movement after attack.- Simon agrees movement occurred but notes it is consistent with self-motion before collapse.
• Henry Lee & Elaine Pagliaro (2018) Bloodstains show standing→collapse sequence = homicide. – Simon concurs with sequence but disagrees on interpretation — compatible with self-infliction.
• Dr. Michael Woodhouse (2021) Biomechanically impossible for self-stabbing. – Simon calls assumptions flawed; no empirical measurements of human self-inflicted stabbing kinematics considered.
• Dr. Jonathan Arden (2024) Found spinal injury non-incapacitating; supported suicide. – Simon largely agrees; uses Arden analysis in final rationale.

VIII. Simon’s Analytical Conclusions  Source

1. All 23 wounds exhibit vital hemorrhage → inflicted while alive; none post-mortem.
2. Cervical spinal injury (stab Wound T) was not functionally incapacitating — Ellen could still move and continue self-infliction.
3. No foreign DNA, no forced entry, no struggle marks, and door latched from inside exclude external assailant.
4. Psychiatric records show significant anxiety and stress consistent with possible suicidal ideation despite absence of verbal disclosure.
5. Timeline allows no window for homicidal entry or cleanup before 911 call.
6. Scene blood pattern matches Ellen falling in place after self-inflicted stabs.
7. Prior consultants over-interpreted photographs without full police and psychiatric context.

IX. Final Determination (October 11 2025)

 “After independent review of all case materials, autopsy documentation, forensic analyses, and witness statements, it is my professional medical opinion that the manner of death of Ellen Greenberg remains most consistent with Suicide.”
Dr. Lindsay Simon, Chief Medical Examiner, Philadelphia

Rationale Summary

• Mechanically and biologically possible self-inflicted pattern.
• Psychological and situational stressors support suicidal risk.
• No evidentiary basis for homicide or undetermined classification.

X. Immediate Aftermath (October 2025)

• The report submitted Oct 11 2025 to Philadelphia Common Pleas Court ahead of the Oct 14 hearing.
• The Greenberg family’s attorney rejected findings as “deeply flawed,” arguing that the review ignored advanced photogrammetry, untested bruising, and inconsistencies in the digital timeline.
• Public controversy escalated following release of Hulu’s Death in Apartment 603 (Sept 29 2025).

There were many more bruises on Ellen’s body than the original report acknowledged. Source

• Some of them were older (green/yellow) and some fresh (red/purple) indicating injuries occurring at different times.
• The presence of neck bruising and deep hemorrhage can be consistent with manual force or restraint though Dr. Simon ultimately did not interpret them as signs of assault.

Internal blunt impact injuries

• Dr. Simon also notes internal bleeding in the neck muscles (right sternothyroid), visible in the autopsy photographs but never mentioned in the 2011 report.
  That means there were deep tissue hemorrhages consistent with pressure, blunt force, or impact, not just surface bruising.