November 12, 2024 • 23 mins
Help support the podcast.
https://www.buzzsprout.com/2000905/support
Could a death ruled as suicide actually conceal the sinister truth of a homicide? Join us as we scrutinize the unsettling case of Ellen Greenberg, a vibrant teacher with a promising future, whose life was tragically cut short in 2011. Discovered in her apartment with 20 stab wounds, Ellen's death was initially deemed a homicide, only to be controversially reclassified as a suicide. We dissect the labyrinth of evidence, from the absence of forced entry and the lack of defensive wounds to the haunting discrepancies in witness testimonies, particularly the 911 call from her fiancé, Sam Goldberg. Ellen's devoted parents remain unwavering in their quest to unearth the truth, challenging the official ruling with fervor and determination.
Our exploration doesn't stop at the facts; we invite you, our listeners, to engage with us. Share your thoughts, theories, and questions as we unravel the layers of this confounding mystery. By participating in this ongoing dialogue, you can help amplify awareness and contribute to the collective pursuit of justice for Ellen. Let's navigate these complexities together, fostering a community driven by curiosity, reason, and the relentless pursuit of truth. Thank you for being a part of this critical exploration into human nature and the unresolved mysteries that demand our attention.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Before we begin today's episode, we want to
provide a subject matter warning.
This podcast delves intoreal-life crimes and their often
graphic and disturbing details.
Today's episode containsdiscussions of violence, murder
and other sensitive topics thatmay not be suitable for all
listeners.
We understand that this contentcan be triggering or upsetting
(00:22):
for some, and we urge you toconsider your own well-being as
you listen.
With that said, let's proceedwith today's case.
Today's episode takes us deepinto one of the most puzzling
cases in recent memory thetragic death of Ellen Greenberg.
Ellen was a bright, youngteacher with a promising future,
(00:44):
a loving family and a weddingjust around the corner.
But on a snowy January eveningin 2011, everything changed.
She was found in her apartmentwith 20 stab wounds, a case that
defies logic and has leftexperts and her loved ones
questioning everything.
Initially ruled a homicide, herdeath was later changed to
(01:05):
suicide, a decision that'sraised more questions than
answers.
Tonight, we'll dive into theevidence, the inconsistencies
and the theories surroundingEllen's case.
Was this truly a suicide or isthere something darker lying
beneath the surface?
Join me as we unravel the storyof Ellen Greenberg and search
(01:27):
for the truth that her familyand many others believe is still
out there.
This is the End of ReasonPodcast, thank you.
(02:50):
Now we have to go back toJanuary 26, 2011, when Ellen
Greenberg, a dedicatedfirst-grade teacher at Juniata
Park Academy, was in the middleof her day with her young
students when a sudden blizzardswept across Manayunk,
pennsylvania.
The heavy snow forced theschool to close early, granting
Ellen and her students anunexpected reprieve.
(03:11):
But Ellen didn't rush out withthe first wave of teachers and
staff.
Instead, she took time toensure each of her students had
a safe way home, a testament toher caring nature and devotion
to her role.
She left only after herstudents were secure, heading
back to her sixth-floorapartment in the Manayunk
neighbourhood, a place sheshared with her fiancé, sam
(03:33):
Goldberg, who was down at thegym in their apartment building.
It was one of those routinespop down, get in a workout and
head back upstairs.
But when Sam returned to theirapartment after his workout, he
was met with something strange.
The front door was locked, notjust the kind of locked where
you can fiddle with a key and itopens right up.
(03:54):
No, this was the deadbolt,locked tight from the inside.
Sam tried to get in, but hecouldn't.
So Sam started calling, texting, saying hello, Open the door.
What are you doing?
I'm getting pissed.
Hello, you better have anexcuse.
What the fuck?
You have no idea.
(04:15):
This got no response.
So he started pounding on thedoor to get Ellen's attention
and unlock it, but there wasstill no response.
After roughly a half hour Sambroke, opened the door to find
the body of Ellen in the kitchenleaning against a cabinet.
This was when Sam called 911 at6.30pm, sounding panicked and
(04:38):
scared, asking for help toarrive as soon as possible.
He went to perform CPR with thehelp of the 911 operator to
find a knife still in her chestafter unzipping her jacket when
investigators arrived at theapartment unzipping her jacket.
When investigators arrived atthe apartment, they quickly
began to scan the scene for anyclues that might explain Ellen's
(04:59):
tragic death.
But what they found, or ratherdidn't find, only deepened the
mystery.
Aside from the front door Samhad broken through to get inside
, there was no evidence offorced entry, all of their
valuables were still in place,nothing had been disturbed or
taken and when they looked forforensic evidence, the results
were eerie no fingerprints, nostray DNA, just Ellen's.
(05:23):
But when investigators lookedaround the rest of the apartment
, they found strainedblueberries and a freshly cut
orange, suggesting Ellen wasmaking a snack just before the
time of death.
She was also holding a whitetowel in her left hand and two
clean knives were in the sink.
Despite the unsettling scene,investigators could tell there
(05:44):
was nothing more they could do.
At 6.40pm, ellen Greenberg wasofficially pronounced dead in
her own apartment.
The autopsy findings were asshocking as they were unsettling
.
Ellen Greenberg had beenstabbed a staggering 20 times.
10 of those wounds were to herback and neck, areas notoriously
(06:05):
difficult to reach on your own.
The rest was on her chest andabdomen, and there was a gash on
the top of her head.
As if that weren't disturbingenough, the medical examiner
also found 11 bruises in variousstages of healing across her
arm, abdomen and right leg.
With evidence like this, thePhiladelphia medical examiner's
(06:27):
office initially ruled Ellen'sdeath a homicide, but then, in a
baffling twist, just weekslater they reversed their
decision, ruling her death asuicide.
There was no explanation and nonew evidence was released to
support this change.
Ellen's parents didn't evenhear about the reversal directly
(06:48):
.
They found out through mediareports.
But going back to the 911 callfrom that night gives us a
glimpse into those first chaotic, heart-wrenching moments after
Ellen's body was found, but italso reveals a crucial
inconsistency, one that raisesquestions about the very
foundation of the police'sfindings.
(07:08):
On the call, sam Goldbergdescribes Ellen lying flat on
her back on the floor, yet whenpolice arrived, they reported
finding her slumped against thecorner cabinets in the kitchen
with her head, neck andshoulders propped up, not lying
as Sam had described.
And that inconsistency, it'sjust one of many that have
(07:30):
emerged over the years, asEllen's parents have fought
tirelessly to understand whatreally happened to their
daughter.
For over a decade, theGreenbergs have battled for
answers, navigating a maze ofdead ends and bureaucratic
resistance.
Frustrated by the lack oftransparency, they took matters
into their own hands.
(07:51):
They purchased Ellen's autopsyreport, studied photos from the
scene and assembled a team ofindependent experts, including
forensic pathologists and ablood spatter specialist, who
have all challenged the officialsuicide ruling.
In October 2019, the Greenbergs, along with their attorney,
(08:11):
joseph Podraza Jr, filed alawsuit against the city of
Philadelphia.
Their goal To change the mannerof Ellen's death from suicide
back to homicide or, at the veryleast, undetermined.
If successful, this wouldreopen the investigation and
could pave the way for awrongful death or misconduct
(08:34):
lawsuit against the city.
But the city is fighting back.
The Philadelphia Law Departmenthas vigorously defended the
suicide ruling In court filings.
They argued that even if themedical examiner's findings were
incorrect, the law protectstheir professional discretion,
allowing them to stand by theirconclusion regardless.
(08:54):
This civil suit has brought newunsettling details to light
about the investigation, amongthem testimony suggesting that
one of Ellen's neck wounds mayhave been inflicted after she
was already dead.
And now the case heads toCommonwealth Court, where the
question looms Will this lawsuitbe enough to change the manner
(09:17):
of death?
Could it provide the Greenbergfamily with the answers they've
been desperately seeking?
Osborne initially concluded thiswas a homicide, but when he
informed police, they asked himto hold off on officially
classifying it as they werestill investigating.
Just two days later, policepublicly contradicted Osborne's
(09:38):
findings, hinting at a possiblesuicide and suggesting Ellen had
experienced some mental issues.
In response, osborne soughtfurther clarity.
He consulted with aneuropathologist to examine
Ellen's spinal cord, hoping todetermine whether the wounds
would have incapacitated her,making it impossible for her to
stab herself.
(09:58):
Dr Lucy Rourke Adams, arenowned neuropathologist,
conducted a quick examinationand reported that Ellen's spinal
cord was not damaged to thepoint that would prevent her
from moving.
But here's the thing thisexamination was informal.
Osborne described taking asection of Ellen's spine through
very heavy snow to Rourke Adamsat the Children's Hospital of
(10:22):
Philadelphia.
No official report was writtenand Rourke Adams herself has
since stated she has no memoryof conducting the exam.
As the investigation continued,osborne and then-chief medical
examiner Sam Gulino were calledto a highly unusual meeting with
the district attorney's officeand the Philadelphia Police
Department.
(10:42):
Both men testified that such ameeting was unprecedented in
their careers, raising questionsabout why this case was treated
differently.
During this meeting, osbornewas told that a doorman was
present with Sam Goldberg whenhe broke into the apartment,
seemingly confirming there wasno other way for an intruder to
have entered.
This information reportedlyinfluenced Osborne's decision to
(11:06):
change the ruling to suicide,but in later civil proceedings
the doorman testified that hewas not with Goldberg when the
door was broken, a claim backedby security footage.
Podraza, the Greenberg'sattorney, pressed Osborne in
court.
If the doorman had not beenwith Goldberg when the door was
broken, would Osborne stillstand by the suicide ruling?
(11:29):
Osborne replied no, I would not.
For the Greenbergs.
This was a damning revelation.
Yet the inconsistencies don'tend there.
Dr Lindsay Emery, anotherpathologist, conducted an exam
(11:50):
of Ellen's spinal column andnoted two sharp force injuries
that didn't cause bleeding,suggesting they may have been
inflicted post-mortem.
This detail raised even morequestions.
Could some of the wounds havebeen inflicted after Ellen had
already passed?
And if so, how does that fitwith the official narrative?
Now let's look at Ellen.
She was born on June 23rd 1983,in New York City to her parents
(12:10):
, josh and Sandy Greenberg.
She was their only child and,as her mother described her, a
fun, loving, bubbly young womanwith a bright future ahead of
her.
The Greenbergs moved toHarrisburg, pennsylvania, in
1994, and it was there thatEllen spent her school years,
attending Susquehanna Townshipschools.
(12:32):
She was a light in her family'slife and had a way of bringing
people together, making lifelongfriends wherever she went.
Ellen attended Penn StateUniversity, where she truly
shined.
She was a lionizer, workingwith the football team to
introduce players and theirfamilies to the campus and even
(12:52):
helping out on the field.
She loved Penn State, loved thegame and brought people from
all different backgroundstogether.
Through her warmth and spirit,ellen had a gift for uniting
people.
Friends from camp, high schooland college all became friends
because of her.
She graduated with a degree incommunications, originally
(13:14):
planning to pursue speechpathology, but soon realised her
heart was in teaching, sheenrolled at Temple University to
earn her teaching credentials.
It was during this time thatEllen met Sam Goldberg, a
television producer.
Through mutual friends.
Their connection grew andthings seemed to be falling into
(13:34):
place.
Ellen soon landed a jobteaching at Juniata Park Academy
in Philadelphia, where shebecame that teacher, the one
students adored, who greetedthem with hugs and left a
lasting impression.
Her father recalls she feltgood about what she was doing
and the kids loved her.
(13:54):
She was the teacher studentswanted, the one they bragged
about.
Ellen and Sam eventually gotengaged, planning an August
wedding at the luxurious HersheyHotel, a day that was supposed
to be a fairy tale for Ellen,her family and friends, but a
day that would never come About.
Three years into her teachingcareer in 2010, ellen began to
(14:17):
feel a change in herself.
She called her parents sharingthat she was feeling unusually
anxious and overwhelmed, evenexpressing thoughts of leaving
her job in Philadelphia andmoving back to Harrisburg.
For her parents, it wassurprising.
Ellen had worked so hard tobuild her career and was in the
midst of planning a wedding.
(14:37):
Her father encouraged her tosee a psychiatrist before making
any drastic changes.
Ellen agreed and attended threeappointments in January on the
12th, 17th and 19th she wasprescribed medication for her
anxiety and soon after shetexted her mum, relieved, saying
the new medication was startingto work.
(14:59):
It seemed like things werelooking up.
Ellen was getting her anxietyunder control, ready to tackle
wedding plans again.
Just four days before her deathshe sent out her save-the-date
cards, excited about her futurewith Sam her save-the-date cards
, excited about her future withSam.
At the same time she was alsopreparing for her close friend's
(15:19):
wedding and had plans thatweekend to shop for her
bridesmaid dress.
On that day her friend pickedher up but something was off.
She didn't look like herself.
Her friend later said Ellen wasalways so put together, but
that day her hair wasn't doneand she just seemed… different.
In the fitting room Ellenbecame emotional, apologising
(15:40):
and saying I know I'm not myself, but I'll get it together.
Her friend could see the strainon her but chose not to push,
sensing that Ellen didn't wantto shift the focus to herself.
Ellen briefly mentioned feelingstressed and wanting to quit
her job and move back home, asentiment that surprised her
friend as much as it had herparents.
(16:02):
Something wasn't right, herfriend later reflected.
My father-in-law worked withher and he said there was no
reason for her to feel that way.
Everyone loved her there.
That day would be the last timeEllen saw her friend.
Now let's look at a theory.
One theory surrounding EllenGreenberg's tragic death is that
(16:25):
she was the victim of foul playand her death was staged to
appear as a suicide.
The unusual circumstances ofher injuries, combined with
inconsistencies in theinvestigation, have led many,
including forensic experts andher family, to believe this
theory.
Let's start with the physicalevidence.
Ellen was found with 20 stabwounds on her body, 10 to her
(16:49):
chest and abdomen, 10 more toher back and neck.
Some of these wounds were inlocations nearly impossible for
a person to self-inflict,especially given the degree of
force required.
The fact that a knife was foundlodged in her chest makes the
suicide ruling even harder toaccept.
Experts have pointed out thatself-inflicting that many wounds
(17:10):
would likely cause the body toenter shock after just a few,
making it implausible for her tocontinue.
Further fuelling suspicion isthe lack of defensive wounds.
This has been interpreted bysome investigators as a sign
that Ellen either knew herattacker or was incapacitated in
some way.
A person being ambushed orattacked by surprise might not
(17:33):
have had time to defendthemselves.
Alternatively, she may havebeen unable to fight back due to
a struggle or restraint.
Now let's consider theinconsistencies in the
investigation.
When Ellen was initially found,the scene lacked any indication
of forced entry, but there wasalso no witness to confirm
exactly what had transpired.
(17:54):
Her fiancé, sam Goldberg,reported breaking down the door
to get inside, but his accounthas been met with scepticism In
later testimony.
A security guard who wasallegedly present during Sam's
forced entry stated he did notwitness the break-in.
Additionally, videosurveillance showed he did not
accompany Sam to the apartment,creating doubt about what really
(18:16):
happened in those momentsbefore Ellen was found.
A critical turning point in thistheory involves the
Philadelphia Medical Examiner'sOffice initially ruling Ellen's
death as a homicide, butreversing it to suicide shortly
after.
According to Ellen's family andtheir attorney, the shift in
classification may have beeninfluenced by pressure from the
(18:37):
police.
The reasoning behind thisswitch has never been fully
explained, leaving many toquestion whether it was done to
close the case more quickly oravoid the challenges of a
complex homicide investigation.
One particular detail thatsupports a staged scene is the
alleged presence of twonon-bleeding wounds on Ellen's
(18:58):
body, as noted in forensicexaminations.
Lack of bleeding suggests theseinjuries may have been
inflicted post-mortem, raisingthe disturbing possibility that
her body was manipulated afterdeath to make it look like she
could have inflicted the woundsherself to make it look like she
could have inflicted the woundsherself.
In this theory, ellen's fiancé,or perhaps an unknown third
(19:18):
party, may have been responsiblefor her death.
The lack of evidence suggestingan intruder led some
investigators to suspect that iffoul play occurred, it was
committed by someone close toher, someone who would have
access to the apartment andknowledge of her routines.
As we wrap up this episode,we're left with one question
that echoes apartment andknowledge of her routines.
As we wrap up this episode,we're left with one question
that echoes through every detailof this case what really
(19:41):
happened to Ellen Greenberg?
Here was a young woman who hadher whole life ahead of her,
surrounded by family and friendswho adored her, a teacher who
inspired her students, abride-to-be planning her future,
and yet her life was cut shortin a way that defies all
understanding.
The official ruling sayssuicide, but the evidence, the
(20:04):
unanswered questions and thehaunting inconsistencies have
left Ellen's family and manyothers unconvinced.
Her parents continue to fightyear after year, refusing to
accept an answer that doesn'tmake sense.
They want justice, not just forEllen, but for the truth that
seems hidden somewhere in theshadows of this case.
(20:24):
So where does that leave us?
It leaves us hoping for areinvestigation, one that can
shine a light on those shadowsand bring some measure of
closure to those who loved Ellen.
Until that day comes, this casestands as a stark reminder of
how sometimes, even in thepursuit of truth, justice can
(20:45):
feel just out of reach.
Thank you for joining me todayon the End of Reason podcast.
I hope this story has left youas unsettled and as determined
for answers as it has me.
Remember to stay curious, keepasking questions and never take
the easy answers at face value.
I'm CR Knight and I'll be herenext time to bring you more
(21:08):
stories that defy reason anddemand our attention.
If you found this episode ascompelling as we did, don't
forget to hit that follow buttonto stay updated on our latest
releases, and if you havethoughts, questions or your own
theories on the case, pleaseleave a comment or review.
It helps others discover thepodcast and join the
(21:28):
conversation.
Your support means the world tous and together maybe we can
bring more attention to caseslike Ellen's.
Thanks for listening and I'llcatch you next time on the End
of Reason podcast.
Thank you for joining us onthis journey through the shadows
of humanity.
On the End of Reason podcast.
(21:51):
As we conclude today's episode,remember that the pursuit of
truth never truly ends.
Until next time, stay vigilant,stay curious and never let go
of reason.
Thank you, thank you.
Before we begin today's episode, we want to
provide a subject matter warning.
This podcast delves intoreal-life crimes and their often
graphic and disturbing details.
Today's episode containsdiscussions of violence, murder
and other sensitive topics thatmay not be suitable for all
listeners.
We understand that this contentcan be triggering or upsetting
(00:22):
for some, and we urge you toconsider your own well-being as
you listen.
With that said, let's proceedwith today's case.
Today's episode takes us deepinto one of the most puzzling
cases in recent memory thetragic death of Ellen Greenberg.
Ellen was a bright, youngteacher with a promising future,
(00:44):
a loving family and a weddingjust around the corner.
But on a snowy January eveningin 2011, everything changed.
She was found in her apartmentwith 20 stab wounds, a case that
defies logic and has leftexperts and her loved ones
questioning everything.
Initially ruled a homicide, herdeath was later changed to
(01:05):
suicide, a decision that'sraised more questions than
answers.
Tonight, we'll dive into theevidence, the inconsistencies
and the theories surroundingEllen's case.
Was this truly a suicide or isthere something darker lying
beneath the surface?
Join me as we unravel the storyof Ellen Greenberg and search
(01:27):
for the truth that her familyand many others believe is still
out there.
This is the End of ReasonPodcast, thank you.
(02:50):
Now we have to go back toJanuary 26, 2011, when Ellen
Greenberg, a dedicatedfirst-grade teacher at Juniata
Park Academy, was in the middleof her day with her young
students when a sudden blizzardswept across Manayunk,
pennsylvania.
The heavy snow forced theschool to close early, granting
Ellen and her students anunexpected reprieve.
(03:11):
But Ellen didn't rush out withthe first wave of teachers and
staff.
Instead, she took time toensure each of her students had
a safe way home, a testament toher caring nature and devotion
to her role.
She left only after herstudents were secure, heading
back to her sixth-floorapartment in the Manayunk
neighbourhood, a place sheshared with her fiancé, sam
(03:33):
Goldberg, who was down at thegym in their apartment building.
It was one of those routinespop down, get in a workout and
head back upstairs.
But when Sam returned to theirapartment after his workout, he
was met with something strange.
The front door was locked, notjust the kind of locked where
you can fiddle with a key and itopens right up.
(03:54):
No, this was the deadbolt,locked tight from the inside.
Sam tried to get in, but hecouldn't.
So Sam started calling, texting, saying hello, Open the door.
What are you doing?
I'm getting pissed.
Hello, you better have anexcuse.
What the fuck?
You have no idea.
(04:15):
This got no response.
So he started pounding on thedoor to get Ellen's attention
and unlock it, but there wasstill no response.
After roughly a half hour Sambroke, opened the door to find
the body of Ellen in the kitchenleaning against a cabinet.
This was when Sam called 911 at6.30pm, sounding panicked and
(04:38):
scared, asking for help toarrive as soon as possible.
He went to perform CPR with thehelp of the 911 operator to
find a knife still in her chestafter unzipping her jacket when
investigators arrived at theapartment unzipping her jacket.
When investigators arrived atthe apartment, they quickly
began to scan the scene for anyclues that might explain Ellen's
(04:59):
tragic death.
But what they found, or ratherdidn't find, only deepened the
mystery.
Aside from the front door Samhad broken through to get inside
, there was no evidence offorced entry, all of their
valuables were still in place,nothing had been disturbed or
taken and when they looked forforensic evidence, the results
were eerie no fingerprints, nostray DNA, just Ellen's.
(05:23):
But when investigators lookedaround the rest of the apartment
, they found strainedblueberries and a freshly cut
orange, suggesting Ellen wasmaking a snack just before the
time of death.
She was also holding a whitetowel in her left hand and two
clean knives were in the sink.
Despite the unsettling scene,investigators could tell there
(05:44):
was nothing more they could do.
At 6.40pm, ellen Greenberg wasofficially pronounced dead in
her own apartment.
The autopsy findings were asshocking as they were unsettling
.
Ellen Greenberg had beenstabbed a staggering 20 times.
10 of those wounds were to herback and neck, areas notoriously
(06:05):
difficult to reach on your own.
The rest was on her chest andabdomen, and there was a gash on
the top of her head.
As if that weren't disturbingenough, the medical examiner
also found 11 bruises in variousstages of healing across her
arm, abdomen and right leg.
With evidence like this, thePhiladelphia medical examiner's
(06:27):
office initially ruled Ellen'sdeath a homicide, but then, in a
baffling twist, just weekslater they reversed their
decision, ruling her death asuicide.
There was no explanation and nonew evidence was released to
support this change.
Ellen's parents didn't evenhear about the reversal directly
(06:48):
.
They found out through mediareports.
But going back to the 911 callfrom that night gives us a
glimpse into those first chaotic, heart-wrenching moments after
Ellen's body was found, but italso reveals a crucial
inconsistency, one that raisesquestions about the very
foundation of the police'sfindings.
(07:08):
On the call, sam Goldbergdescribes Ellen lying flat on
her back on the floor, yet whenpolice arrived, they reported
finding her slumped against thecorner cabinets in the kitchen
with her head, neck andshoulders propped up, not lying
as Sam had described.
And that inconsistency, it'sjust one of many that have
(07:30):
emerged over the years, asEllen's parents have fought
tirelessly to understand whatreally happened to their
daughter.
For over a decade, theGreenbergs have battled for
answers, navigating a maze ofdead ends and bureaucratic
resistance.
Frustrated by the lack oftransparency, they took matters
into their own hands.
(07:51):
They purchased Ellen's autopsyreport, studied photos from the
scene and assembled a team ofindependent experts, including
forensic pathologists and ablood spatter specialist, who
have all challenged the officialsuicide ruling.
In October 2019, the Greenbergs, along with their attorney,
(08:11):
joseph Podraza Jr, filed alawsuit against the city of
Philadelphia.
Their goal To change the mannerof Ellen's death from suicide
back to homicide or, at the veryleast, undetermined.
If successful, this wouldreopen the investigation and
could pave the way for awrongful death or misconduct
(08:34):
lawsuit against the city.
But the city is fighting back.
The Philadelphia Law Departmenthas vigorously defended the
suicide ruling In court filings.
They argued that even if themedical examiner's findings were
incorrect, the law protectstheir professional discretion,
allowing them to stand by theirconclusion regardless.
(08:54):
This civil suit has brought newunsettling details to light
about the investigation, amongthem testimony suggesting that
one of Ellen's neck wounds mayhave been inflicted after she
was already dead.
And now the case heads toCommonwealth Court, where the
question looms Will this lawsuitbe enough to change the manner
(09:17):
of death?
Could it provide the Greenbergfamily with the answers they've
been desperately seeking?
Osborne initially concluded thiswas a homicide, but when he
informed police, they asked himto hold off on officially
classifying it as they werestill investigating.
Just two days later, policepublicly contradicted Osborne's
(09:38):
findings, hinting at a possiblesuicide and suggesting Ellen had
experienced some mental issues.
In response, osborne soughtfurther clarity.
He consulted with aneuropathologist to examine
Ellen's spinal cord, hoping todetermine whether the wounds
would have incapacitated her,making it impossible for her to
stab herself.
(09:58):
Dr Lucy Rourke Adams, arenowned neuropathologist,
conducted a quick examinationand reported that Ellen's spinal
cord was not damaged to thepoint that would prevent her
from moving.
But here's the thing thisexamination was informal.
Osborne described taking asection of Ellen's spine through
very heavy snow to Rourke Adamsat the Children's Hospital of
(10:22):
Philadelphia.
No official report was writtenand Rourke Adams herself has
since stated she has no memoryof conducting the exam.
As the investigation continued,osborne and then-chief medical
examiner Sam Gulino were calledto a highly unusual meeting with
the district attorney's officeand the Philadelphia Police
Department.
(10:42):
Both men testified that such ameeting was unprecedented in
their careers, raising questionsabout why this case was treated
differently.
During this meeting, osbornewas told that a doorman was
present with Sam Goldberg whenhe broke into the apartment,
seemingly confirming there wasno other way for an intruder to
have entered.
This information reportedlyinfluenced Osborne's decision to
(11:06):
change the ruling to suicide,but in later civil proceedings
the doorman testified that hewas not with Goldberg when the
door was broken, a claim backedby security footage.
Podraza, the Greenberg'sattorney, pressed Osborne in
court.
If the doorman had not beenwith Goldberg when the door was
broken, would Osborne stillstand by the suicide ruling?
(11:29):
Osborne replied no, I would not.
For the Greenbergs.
This was a damning revelation.
Yet the inconsistencies don'tend there.
Dr Lindsay Emery, anotherpathologist, conducted an exam
(11:50):
of Ellen's spinal column andnoted two sharp force injuries
that didn't cause bleeding,suggesting they may have been
inflicted post-mortem.
This detail raised even morequestions.
Could some of the wounds havebeen inflicted after Ellen had
already passed?
And if so, how does that fitwith the official narrative?
Now let's look at Ellen.
She was born on June 23rd 1983,in New York City to her parents
(12:10):
, josh and Sandy Greenberg.
She was their only child and,as her mother described her, a
fun, loving, bubbly young womanwith a bright future ahead of
her.
The Greenbergs moved toHarrisburg, pennsylvania, in
1994, and it was there thatEllen spent her school years,
attending Susquehanna Townshipschools.
(12:32):
She was a light in her family'slife and had a way of bringing
people together, making lifelongfriends wherever she went.
Ellen attended Penn StateUniversity, where she truly
shined.
She was a lionizer, workingwith the football team to
introduce players and theirfamilies to the campus and even
(12:52):
helping out on the field.
She loved Penn State, loved thegame and brought people from
all different backgroundstogether.
Through her warmth and spirit,ellen had a gift for uniting
people.
Friends from camp, high schooland college all became friends
because of her.
She graduated with a degree incommunications, originally
(13:14):
planning to pursue speechpathology, but soon realised her
heart was in teaching, sheenrolled at Temple University to
earn her teaching credentials.
It was during this time thatEllen met Sam Goldberg, a
television producer.
Through mutual friends.
Their connection grew andthings seemed to be falling into
(13:34):
place.
Ellen soon landed a jobteaching at Juniata Park Academy
in Philadelphia, where shebecame that teacher, the one
students adored, who greetedthem with hugs and left a
lasting impression.
Her father recalls she feltgood about what she was doing
and the kids loved her.
(13:54):
She was the teacher studentswanted, the one they bragged
about.
Ellen and Sam eventually gotengaged, planning an August
wedding at the luxurious HersheyHotel, a day that was supposed
to be a fairy tale for Ellen,her family and friends, but a
day that would never come About.
Three years into her teachingcareer in 2010, ellen began to
(14:17):
feel a change in herself.
She called her parents sharingthat she was feeling unusually
anxious and overwhelmed, evenexpressing thoughts of leaving
her job in Philadelphia andmoving back to Harrisburg.
For her parents, it wassurprising.
Ellen had worked so hard tobuild her career and was in the
midst of planning a wedding.
(14:37):
Her father encouraged her tosee a psychiatrist before making
any drastic changes.
Ellen agreed and attended threeappointments in January on the
12th, 17th and 19th she wasprescribed medication for her
anxiety and soon after shetexted her mum, relieved, saying
the new medication was startingto work.
(14:59):
It seemed like things werelooking up.
Ellen was getting her anxietyunder control, ready to tackle
wedding plans again.
Just four days before her deathshe sent out her save-the-date
cards, excited about her futurewith Sam her save-the-date cards
, excited about her future withSam.
At the same time she was alsopreparing for her close friend's
(15:19):
wedding and had plans thatweekend to shop for her
bridesmaid dress.
On that day her friend pickedher up but something was off.
She didn't look like herself.
Her friend later said Ellen wasalways so put together, but
that day her hair wasn't doneand she just seemed… different.
In the fitting room Ellenbecame emotional, apologising
(15:40):
and saying I know I'm not myself, but I'll get it together.
Her friend could see the strainon her but chose not to push,
sensing that Ellen didn't wantto shift the focus to herself.
Ellen briefly mentioned feelingstressed and wanting to quit
her job and move back home, asentiment that surprised her
friend as much as it had herparents.
(16:02):
Something wasn't right, herfriend later reflected.
My father-in-law worked withher and he said there was no
reason for her to feel that way.
Everyone loved her there.
That day would be the last timeEllen saw her friend.
Now let's look at a theory.
One theory surrounding EllenGreenberg's tragic death is that
(16:25):
she was the victim of foul playand her death was staged to
appear as a suicide.
The unusual circumstances ofher injuries, combined with
inconsistencies in theinvestigation, have led many,
including forensic experts andher family, to believe this
theory.
Let's start with the physicalevidence.
Ellen was found with 20 stabwounds on her body, 10 to her
(16:49):
chest and abdomen, 10 more toher back and neck.
Some of these wounds were inlocations nearly impossible for
a person to self-inflict,especially given the degree of
force required.
The fact that a knife was foundlodged in her chest makes the
suicide ruling even harder toaccept.
Experts have pointed out thatself-inflicting that many wounds
(17:10):
would likely cause the body toenter shock after just a few,
making it implausible for her tocontinue.
Further fuelling suspicion isthe lack of defensive wounds.
This has been interpreted bysome investigators as a sign
that Ellen either knew herattacker or was incapacitated in
some way.
A person being ambushed orattacked by surprise might not
(17:33):
have had time to defendthemselves.
Alternatively, she may havebeen unable to fight back due to
a struggle or restraint.
Now let's consider theinconsistencies in the
investigation.
When Ellen was initially found,the scene lacked any indication
of forced entry, but there wasalso no witness to confirm
exactly what had transpired.
(17:54):
Her fiancé, sam Goldberg,reported breaking down the door
to get inside, but his accounthas been met with scepticism In
later testimony.
A security guard who wasallegedly present during Sam's
forced entry stated he did notwitness the break-in.
Additionally, videosurveillance showed he did not
accompany Sam to the apartment,creating doubt about what really
(18:16):
happened in those momentsbefore Ellen was found.
A critical turning point in thistheory involves the
Philadelphia Medical Examiner'sOffice initially ruling Ellen's
death as a homicide, butreversing it to suicide shortly
after.
According to Ellen's family andtheir attorney, the shift in
classification may have beeninfluenced by pressure from the
(18:37):
police.
The reasoning behind thisswitch has never been fully
explained, leaving many toquestion whether it was done to
close the case more quickly oravoid the challenges of a
complex homicide investigation.
One particular detail thatsupports a staged scene is the
alleged presence of twonon-bleeding wounds on Ellen's
(18:58):
body, as noted in forensicexaminations.
Lack of bleeding suggests theseinjuries may have been
inflicted post-mortem, raisingthe disturbing possibility that
her body was manipulated afterdeath to make it look like she
could have inflicted the woundsherself to make it look like she
could have inflicted the woundsherself.
In this theory, ellen's fiancé,or perhaps an unknown third
(19:18):
party, may have been responsiblefor her death.
The lack of evidence suggestingan intruder led some
investigators to suspect that iffoul play occurred, it was
committed by someone close toher, someone who would have
access to the apartment andknowledge of her routines.
As we wrap up this episode,we're left with one question
that echoes apartment andknowledge of her routines.
As we wrap up this episode,we're left with one question
that echoes through every detailof this case what really
(19:41):
happened to Ellen Greenberg?
Here was a young woman who hadher whole life ahead of her,
surrounded by family and friendswho adored her, a teacher who
inspired her students, abride-to-be planning her future,
and yet her life was cut shortin a way that defies all
understanding.
The official ruling sayssuicide, but the evidence, the
(20:04):
unanswered questions and thehaunting inconsistencies have
left Ellen's family and manyothers unconvinced.
Her parents continue to fightyear after year, refusing to
accept an answer that doesn'tmake sense.
They want justice, not just forEllen, but for the truth that
seems hidden somewhere in theshadows of this case.
(20:24):
So where does that leave us?
It leaves us hoping for areinvestigation, one that can
shine a light on those shadowsand bring some measure of
closure to those who loved Ellen.
Until that day comes, this casestands as a stark reminder of
how sometimes, even in thepursuit of truth, justice can
(20:45):
feel just out of reach.
Thank you for joining me todayon the End of Reason podcast.
I hope this story has left youas unsettled and as determined
for answers as it has me.
Remember to stay curious, keepasking questions and never take
the easy answers at face value.
I'm CR Knight and I'll be herenext time to bring you more
(21:08):
stories that defy reason anddemand our attention.
If you found this episode ascompelling as we did, don't
forget to hit that follow buttonto stay updated on our latest
releases, and if you havethoughts, questions or your own
theories on the case, pleaseleave a comment or review.
It helps others discover thepodcast and join the
(21:28):
conversation.
Your support means the world tous and together maybe we can
bring more attention to caseslike Ellen's.
Thanks for listening and I'llcatch you next time on the End
of Reason podcast.
Thank you for joining us onthis journey through the shadows
of humanity.
On the End of Reason podcast.
(21:51):
As we conclude today's episode,remember that the pursuit of
truth never truly ends.
Until next time, stay vigilant,stay curious and never let go
of reason.
Thank you, thank you.
Popular Podcasts
Cold Case Files: Miami
Joyce Sapp, 76; Bryan Herrera, 16; and Laurance Webb, 32—three Miami residents whose lives were stolen in brutal, unsolved homicides. Cold Case Files: Miami follows award‑winning radio host and City of Miami Police reserve officer Enrique Santos as he partners with the department’s Cold Case Homicide Unit, determined family members, and the advocates who spend their lives fighting for justice for the victims who can no longer fight for themselves.
24/7 News: The Latest
The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.