Podcast Summary

Podcast: Amy Robach & T.J. Holmes Present
Episode: Stabbed 20 Times But Young Teacher’s Death Ruled a Suicide; Feds Now Involved
Date: January 16, 2026

Overview of the Episode

This episode centers around the mysterious and controversial 2011 death of Ellen Greenberg, a 27-year-old schoolteacher from Philadelphia found with more than 20 stab wounds (including several in the back of her neck) and a knife still lodged in her chest. Despite the brutal circumstances, her death was ruled a suicide—something her family has never accepted. Amy Robach and T.J. Holmes examine the ongoing struggle for answers, recent developments involving the U.S. Attorney's office, and persistent questions about investigative flaws and possible corruption.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Case Breakdown: Ellen Greenberg’s Death

• Initial Shock & Official Ruling

  • Ellen Greenberg was found by her fiancé on January 26, 2011, in their locked Philadelphia apartment; she had suffered over 20 stab wounds, including 10 in the back of her neck, and had a 10-inch knife in her chest.
    • Amy Robach: “To anybody with common sense, that just doesn’t make sense.” [03:25]
  • The initial ruling was homicide, but two weeks later, her manner of death was changed to suicide, despite her family’s protests and widespread skepticism.

• Lack of Suspects & Family Frustrations

  • No suspects have ever been named or investigated—not even her fiancé, who discovered her body.
    • T.J. Holmes: “That has never sat well with her parents...” [02:47]

• Recent Federal Interest

  • The U.S. Attorney's office recently subpoenaed documents from the Philadelphia Police Department to open an inquiry into whether Ellen’s death was properly investigated.
    • T.J. Holmes: “They are apparently opening an inquiry into whether Ellen Greenberg’s death was properly investigated.” [03:56]

2. Possible Corruption and Investigation Flaws

• Why Now?

  • The federal involvement is not about re-investigating the manner of death directly, but rather the integrity of the original investigation—suggesting possible mishandling or corruption.
    • Amy Robach: “This looks like they’re looking into… This is a corruption [probe].” [05:04]

• Family Reaction

  • The family views this development as a victory and renewed hope for justice.
    • Family statement: "...a dream come true for her parents...we have only wanted justice for Ellen and now have renewed hope." [05:30]

• Historic Acknowledgment of Flaws

  • In 2024, a Pennsylvania court acknowledged “serious flaws in the investigation,” even though it refused to change her death certificate from suicide to homicide.
    • T.J. Holmes: “The court wrote that it was acutely aware of the deeply flawed investigation conducted by city police…” [11:18]

3. Details of the Death and Investigation

• Scene and Evidence

  • No forced entry, the apartment was locked from the inside, and there were no defensive wounds or evidence of struggle.
    • T.J. Holmes: “There was no sign of forced entry and the place was locked. There was no sign of a struggle... no defensive wounds.” [07:22]

• Medical Examiner’s Ambiguous Findings

  • Medical examiners cited “hesitation wounds” as evidence for suicide, but later at least one pathologist reversed their position.
    • T.J. Holmes (about the autopsy doctor): “He said in a sworn statement...Ellen’s manner of death should be designated as something other than suicide.” [09:08]
  • In 2025, Philadelphia settled with the Greenbergs, agreeing to an independent review of the autopsy after the pathologist’s retraction. [09:50]

• Unanswered Questions

  • The method (multiple stab wounds, especially in the back of the neck) is highly atypical for suicides, and the family’s private investigator found some wounds likely would have incapacitated Ellen.
    • T.J. Holmes: “A couple of the knife wounds...would have incapacitated her...she would not have been able to then give that final stab in the chest…” [22:06]

4. Mental Health & Theories

• Possible Anxiety

  • Some reports suggest Ellen may have suffered from anxiety related to her job as a teacher, but the family and many observers remain unconvinced that this explains the circumstances.
    • T.J. Holmes: “There was some information...she may have been suffering from anxiety at the time of her death...” [12:46]

• Suicide Made to Look Like Homicide?

  • T.J. Holmes: “It’s almost like suicide made to look like homicide. I can’t get my head around choosing that method.” [13:18]

5. The Fiancé’s Role and Public Perception

• Fiancé Cleared by Police, But Not by Public

  • Sam Goldberg, Ellen’s fiancé, has never been a suspect or charged, though he found the body and reported the death.
    • T.J. Holmes: “The only public statement her fiancé has ever made...he told investigators that the lock on the door was latched from the inside...” [19:19]

• His Only Public Statement (2024)

  • “Mental illness is very real and has many victims. I hope and pray that you never lose someone you love like I did, to a terrible disease and then be accused by ignorant and misinformed people of causing her death.” – Sam Goldberg, 2024 (to CNN) [20:22]
  • The hosts discuss how, despite official clearance, the fiancé remains under suspicion in public forums and documentaries.

6. Family’s Private Investigation

• Visualization of Wounds
  • The Greenberg family’s own investigator mapped the stab wounds, concluding that several (notably to the back of the neck) would have prevented Ellen from self-inflicting the fatal chest wound.
    • T.J. Holmes: “They had their own private investigator actually put knives where all of her stab wounds were and the depth at which the blade went in...” [22:06]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the Official Ruling:
  • Amy Robach: “To anybody with common sense, that just doesn’t make sense.” [03:25]
• On the Pain of Not Knowing:
  • T.J. Holmes: “It’s hard enough to lose a child...but to have her death be unexplained...that’s a whole other level of pain and torture on top of the death itself.” [05:30]
• Family’s Statement:
  • “The prospects of the federal United States attorneys investigating any aspect of Ellen’s murder is a dream come true for her parents, Sandy and Josh. We have only wanted justice for Ellen and now have renewed hope this will occur.” [05:30]
• On the Corruption Theory:
  • Amy Robach: “You’re covering your own butts because you screwed up...or it could be an awful, unfortunate mess...” [12:21]
• On Method of Death:
  • Amy Robach: “It almost feels like two different things...how are you going to convince me it’s a suicide? She got stabbed 20 times.” [10:14]
• On the Fiancé’s Statement:
  • Sam Goldberg: “I hope and pray that you never lose someone you love like I did...and then be accused by ignorant and misinformed people of causing her death.” [20:22]
• Summing Up the Unsolved Mystery:
  • T.J. Holmes: “Look, we may never know, but this new inquiry could give us some answers or at least some insight into the process...” [22:54]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [02:15] – Case introduction: Ellen Greenberg's death and initial questions
• [03:56] – U.S. Attorney’s Office opens inquiry, significance for the family
• [07:22] – Details of how Ellen was found; doubts about suicide theory
• [09:08] – Medical examiner retraction, legal settlement, and autopsy review
• [11:18] – Court acknowledges flaws in original investigation
• [12:46] – Discussion of Ellen’s mental health/anxiety, but skepticism on suicide theory
• [19:19] – New federal inquiry; summary of all doubts and new hope for family justice
• [20:22] – Fiancé Sam Goldberg’s only public statement
• [22:06] – Family’s independent investigation and theory on incapacitating wounds

Episode Takeaway

Amy and T.J. comprehensively break down a case long mired in suspicion, grief, and allegations of investigative incompetence or corruption. As the U.S. Attorney's Office steps in, there’s new hope for transparency and some measure of justice for Ellen’s family—even if the fundamental question of how she really died may never be answered. The episode combines empathetic storytelling, clear context, and an honest look at a still-unfolding mystery—leaving listeners eager for further developments.