Crime Junkie — UPDATE: Ellen Greenberg
Episode Date: October 2, 2025
Hosts: Ashley Flowers, Brit Prawat
Special Contributors: Nina Schutzman, Sandy & Josh Greenberg, Guy D’Andrea
Episode Overview
This episode delivers a comprehensive update on the mysterious 2011 death of Ellen Greenberg, previously covered by Crime Junkie. The hosts revisit the case amidst renewed public interest fueled by a new documentary. The episode walks listeners through the original investigation, forensic controversies, the Greenberg family's battle for justice, striking new revelations, and where the case stands today—including the bombshell that the medical examiner responsible for ruling Ellen’s death a suicide has now recanted that conclusion.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Ellen Greenberg’s Death: The Scene and Initial Investigation
- Timeline of Events:
- Jan 26, 2011, Philadelphia: Sam Goldberg, Ellen’s fiancé, returns from the gym, finds the apartment door latched inside, and after getting no response, breaks in to find Ellen dead in the kitchen.
- 911 call audio played, revealing Sam’s confusion and distress and first discovery of a knife lodged in Ellen’s chest.
- Quote: “She stabbed herself…there’s a knife sticking out of her heart.” (Sam Goldberg, 07:33)
- The Crime Scene:
- Ellen found fully clothed, sitting against kitchen cabinets, knife in chest.
- No signs of a struggle, forced entry only from Sam breaking the latch.
- Valuables untouched; doors and windows secured, balcony covered with undisturbed snow.
- Police Initial Conclusion:
- With evidence pointing to a locked-room scenario and no defensive wounds, police quickly suspect suicide.
2. Autopsy Revelations and Changing Rulings
- Autopsy Findings:
- 20 stab wounds (chest, back of neck, abdomen), gash on the head, and multiple bruises in varying stages.
- Notable point: Knife from Ellen & Sam’s kitchen block with smooth-edged wounds, inconsistent with a serrated blade.
- Quote: “Altogether, Dr. Osborne finds 19 stab wounds and the large gash…” (Ashley Flowers, 23:08)
- Forensic evidence initially pointed to homicide.
- Scene Compromised:
- Police allowed Sam’s family to retrieve belongings and cleaners to enter before a homicide was declared, contaminating potential evidence.
- Ruling Changed:
- After a meeting between police and Medical Examiner Dr. Osborne, the ruling was shifted to suicide, justified by the apparent “locked room” and mental health narrative.
- Quote: “Within a week or so of this meeting…Dr. Osborne notifies the police department that he is now declaring Ellen's manner of death a suicide.” (Ashley Flowers, 37:26)
3. Family’s Fight for Answers
- Greenbergs’ Advocacy:
- Ellen’s parents, Josh and Sandy, knew their daughter struggled with anxiety but never believed she was suicidal.
- Early hesitancy for them to accept the suicide theory, especially given Ellen’s plans for her wedding and life.
- Expert pathologists hired by the family contest suicide as manner of death, citing wound patterns, lack of defensive wounds (suggesting blitz attack), and suspicious scene management.
- Quote: “This is my mission and my purpose to get justice for my daughter.” (Josh Greenberg, 62:12)
- Legal & Forensic Obstacles:
- Police denied full access to records, leaving the family to piece together the investigation.
- Independent experts (Dr. Cyril Wecht, Dr. Wayne Ross, others) point to homicide, citing deep neck wounds, even evidence of possible strangulation.
- Detective Guy D’Andrea, uniquely having seen the full file, confirms mishandling:
- Quote: “It wasn’t treated with the level that an investigation would be treated if viewed by the authorities as a homicide on scene…” (Guy D’Andrea, 44:56)
4. Flaws and Contradictions in the Suicide Ruling
- Secured Door Myth:
- Video evidence and building security staff contradict police report that Sam was accompanied by a security guard (“Phil”) when finding Ellen; Phil stated he never went up until after first responders arrived (46:14–47:05).
- The interior latch, easily bypassed, did not conclusively indicate no one else could have entered or left.
- Forensic Red Flags:
- Pathologists highlight wounds inconsistent with suicide (multiple stabs in neck/back, injury possibly incapacitating).
- Computer analysis disputed: Initial reports said no suicide-related searches; later ones did, but the Greenbergs’ expert found these were mostly “phantom” results or search autocompletes, not direct inquiries.
- Missing/Inconclusive Medical Evidence:
- No formal neuropathology report on Ellen’s spinal cord; Dr. Rourke Adams, referenced in suicide ruling, had no recollection or record of her “consultation.”
5. Recent Developments & Case Status (as of October 2025)
- Medical Examiner Recants Suicide Ruling:
- Dr. Marlon Osborne, who originally ruled suicide, changed his stance, citing public forensic evidence and “new” witness contradictions.
- Quote: “He no longer believes Ellen's death should be classified as a suicide.” (Nina Schutzman, 63:12)
- Settlement and City’s Response:
- Just as the Greenberg’s lawsuit for emotional distress was about to go to trial, the city settled, agreeing to reexamine the case "expeditiously" but without admitting wrongdoing.
- Ongoing delays prompted Judge Linda Carpenter in September 2025 to chastise the city for inaction, even considering changing the manner of death herself (64:00).
- Hulu Docuseries “Death in Apartment 603”:
- Raises nationwide awareness and pressure on officials. According to Ellen’s parents, the city’s promised reexamination has not progressed as hoped.
- Family’s Continuing Efforts:
- Over 14 years and nearly a million dollars spent pursuing truth and justice.
- Community rallies: thousands join “Justice for Ellen” group, sign petitions, engage local officials, and monitor the case’s developments.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- Ashley Flowers (about changing the suicide ruling after police pressure):
“I feel like the most honest answer is the one that you came to without any outside influence.” (37:45) - Josh Greenberg (Ellen’s father):
“We know she was not a suicide victim…She was a homicide victim of a brutal attack, and she was abused before the attack.” (61:13) - Sandy Greenberg (Ellen’s mother):
“It's not our job to find out who murdered Ellen…We need professionals who have ethics who will investigate this case and bring justice to our daughter.” (61:51) - Guy D’Andrea (former prosecutor):
“If just certain things were done differently, we could have had definitive answers.” (60:03) - Nina Schutzman (Reporter, on recent legal developments):
“What was new was that Osborne acknowledged them and that was huge because...he probably would have been called to testify against them.” (63:30)
Timestamps for Important Segments
| Time | Segment Description | |----------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 01:42 | Ashley introduces the Ellen Greenberg update; documentary context | | 03:44 | Sam Goldberg’s 911 call, scene discovery | | 13:50 | Toxicology, last communications, timeline reviewed | | 22:27 | Autopsy findings: wounds, bruises, and change in ruling | | 29:53 | Police begin to downplay homicide, emphasize mental health/suicide narrative | | 37:26 | Medical examiner changes ruling, meeting with police/DA | | 44:56 | Guy D’Andrea: case was not treated as homicide, investigative flaws | | 46:14 | Revelation: Phil, the security guard, was NOT with Sam when Ellen was found | | 50:36 | Dr. Wayne Ross: evidence of incapacitation and strangulation | | 54:11 | Computer search controversy; custody chain questions | | 59:29 | New pathology: possible fatal wounds delivered post-mortem | | 61:13 | Josh Greenberg: the family’s unyielding search for justice | | 63:12 | Nina Schutzman: medical examiner recants, lawsuit settled, city to reexamine | | 64:00 | Judge Carpenter chastises city for delay in review |
Final Thoughts
This update underscores the complexity and emotional toll of Ellen Greenberg’s case—her seemingly impossible injuries, conflicting forensic evidence, repeated investigative failings, and the tenacity of her family. Even after settlements and public outcry, resolution remains elusive, with city officials dragging their feet and the case’s official record still in question.
The episode ends with a call to action:
Listeners are urged to support the Greenbergs’ cause via petitions and advocacy, and reminded of resources for both domestic violence and suicide prevention.
Further Resources
- Justice for Ellen Facebook Group
- Change.org petition
- Hulu Docuseries: Death in Apartment 603
- Full list of forensic reports, timelines, and updates at crimejunkiepodcast.com
Note: The podcast hosts maintain a compassionate, persistent tone dedicated to both honest storytelling and advocacy for accountability in unsolved or mishandled cases.