The person at the center of this case
Ellen R. Greenberg
Cold Case · Closed (Suicide) - Disputed; Civil suit filed by family seeking reclassification to homicide or undetermined
Ellen Greenberg
Ellen Greenberg, a 27-year-old Philadelphia teacher, was found dead in her apartment on January 26, 2011, with a knife embedded in her chest and multiple stab wounds. Initially ruled a homicide by the medical examiner, the manner of death was changed to suicide weeks later without explanation to her family. The case remains highly disputed, with forensic experts questioning the suicide determination.
4601 Flat Rock Rd Unit 603, Philadelphia, PA 19127
🏛️ Philadelphia Police Department / Philadelphia Medical Examiner's Office / Pennsylvania Attorney General
Case Summary
Ellen Greenberg, a 27-year-old Philadelphia teacher, was found dead in her apartment on January 26, 2011, with a knife embedded in her chest and multiple stab wounds. Initially ruled a homicide by the medical examiner, the manner of death was changed to suicide weeks later without explanation to her family. The case remains highly disputed, with forensic experts questioning the suicide determination.
Timeline of Events
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2011-01-26
14:33Last outgoing call
Ellen made her last outgoing call at 2:33 PM
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2011-01-26
16:45Fiancé leaves apartment
Samuel Goldberg left for the gym around 4:45 PM
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2011-01-26
17:15Fiancé returns
Goldberg returned around 5:15-5:30 PM and found door locked from inside
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2011-01-26
18:33Body discovered
911 call made; Ellen found with knife in chest in kitchen
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2011-01-26
18:40Death pronounced
PFD Medic-5 pronounced death at 6:40 PM
Key Locations
Interactive map showing important locations related to this case
Points of Interest / Key Leads
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evidence
Lead #1Knife embedded in chest - CUTCO brand steak knife, approximately 12.5 cm length, consistent with knife set in sink
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evidence
Lead #2Multiple stab wounds: one at chest with embedded knife, superficial group nearby, one to left upper chest near clavicle, two at mid-chest between breasts
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evidence
Lead #3Web searches found on personal computer for 'methods of committing suicide,' 'quick death,' and 'depression' weeks before death
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evidence
Lead #4No defensive wounds on hands, wrists, or forearms; no suicide note found in apartment
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suspect
Lead #5Samuel Goldberg - fiancé present at scene; text messages show escalating frustration before body discovery
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Case Information
Case Type:
Cold Case
Status:
Closed (Suicide) - Disputed; Civil suit filed by family seeking reclassification to homicide or undetermined
Case Number:8
Started:January 26, 2011 at 2:33 PM
Last Updated:July 1, 2025