Drop Dead Serious With Ashleigh Banfield
Episode Title: Ellen Greenberg 2.0? The UNBELIEVABLE & DISTURBING Closet Death of a Young NYC Woman in Manhattan
Date: October 6, 2025

Episode Overview

In this riveting episode, Ashleigh Banfield spotlights the death of Sonam Kishatriya, a 27-year-old woman found hanging in her closet in Manhattan—ruled a suicide by officials despite disturbing evidence suggesting otherwise. Banfield draws direct comparisons to high-profile cases like Ellen Greenberg and Sandra Birchmore, where apparent homicides were also controversially ruled suicides. Through interviews with Sonam's family attorney and a leading forensic pathologist, Banfield dissects the case's inconsistencies and demands a deeper investigation, advocating for public pressure on authorities.

Main Discussion Points & Insights

1. Case Introduction & Pattern Recognition

• Banfield frames Sonam’s case as part of a disturbing pattern—young women found dead in suspicious circumstances, only for officials to swiftly categorize their deaths as suicides, despite glaring evidence to the contrary.
• Reference Cases:
  • Ellen Greenberg (Philadelphia): Stabbed 20 times, yet ruled a suicide. (00:30–02:11)
  • Sandra Birchmore (Massachusetts): Pregnant, found hanging, later suspicion focuses on her ex-cop boyfriend. (02:11–03:24)

Quote:

"There are cases that are confounding and there are cases that just defy logic... These are cases where someone somehow decided that these young women killed themselves when the evidence really screams otherwise." – Ashleigh Banfield (00:05)

2. The Sonam Kishatriya Case: Key Details & Red Flags

Timeline & Immediate Circumstances (04:21–07:18)

• Sonam found hanging in her walk-in closet in 2019.
• Ex-boyfriend, Luc Karim Mathieu, a competitive jiu-jitsu fighter with seven prior arrests, discovered the body. His timeline (leaving Sunday morning, returning Monday) is inconsistent with surveillance showing Sonam in the same clothes two days prior.
• The 911 call does not support his claim he was told to cut her down.
• Key Evidence:
  • Blood everywhere in the closet but none on Sonam’s hands.
  • Rigor mortis: Unexplained bent arms and legs.
  • Funeral director raised initial alarm after noting significant bruising; prompted a second autopsy, but ME stuck with suicide ruling.
  • Parents contest suicide ruling and have fought for years for investigation.

Quote:

"There's blood on the noose that she supposedly tied around her own neck... the hands that she used to tie that noose are squeaky clean, but there's blood on the noose and there's blood everywhere. How the fuck does that work?" – Ashleigh Banfield (07:35)

911 Call Excerpt (07:18)

• Ashleigh plays the audio, highlighting confusion and distress, and scrutinizes the ex-boyfriend’s claim.

Legal Battle Update (09:21)

• Attorney Joseph Podraza, who also represents Ellen Greenberg’s family, explains that the case is before New York State’s highest court, seeking a new, thorough investigation.

3. Expert Interviews & Analysis

Attorney Joseph Podraza’s Interview (09:21–18:23)

• Podraza’s Key Points:
  • The crime scene’s blood cannot be accounted for by hanging; ME’s office failed to explain this.
  • No evidence that the pathologist physically inspected the scene.
  • Asserts the office is stubbornly defending their original suicide finding out of "ego." (12:09)
  • Belief of Staged Crime Scene:
    • Multiple scalp hemorrhages “sufficient to render her unconscious,” significant bruising, transfer of blood to the robe belt without blood on Sonam’s hands.
    • Implies a third-party presence; deems the scene "staged."
  • On the Journal Entry:
    • Entry that authorities suggest is a “suicide note” was found inserted almost as if planted, torn from another book and placed in the home. Sonam was a prolific writer, not suicidal.
    • Sonam’s ex’s narrative may have influenced initial suicide determination.

Quotes:

"There is no doubt in my mind that Sonam was murdered. No question in my mind. And there was a physical altercation." – Joseph Podraza (12:42)

"There has been no explanation provided to us... just simply responses like, 'Well, it could be this, it could be that.' Conjecture, speculation." – Joseph Podraza on ME’s explanation for rigor mortis (14:15)

Forensic Pathologist Dr. Priya Banerjee’s Interview (18:44–22:37)

• Initial Reaction: Concerns over multiple scalp impact injuries inconsistent with suicide.
• On Ligature Marks: They are consistent with hanging but don't explain the head injuries.
• On Rigor Mortis: Unsure due to elapsed time between death and autopsy; can't fully verify body positioning.
• On Crime Scene Blood: Describes typical postmortem “purge fluid,” but says spatter patterns raise skepticism and warrant a full case re-examination.
• Affirms need for proper police investigation.

Quotes:

"What gave me the most pause when reviewing this case was the bruises, or impact sites, as I call them, underneath her scalp.” – Dr. Priya Banerjee (18:57)

"There are curiosities to me that don't add up in this case." – Dr. Priya Banerjee (22:27)

4. Call to Action & Final Thoughts

• Banfield urges listeners to share Sonam’s story, emphasizing the role of public exposure in pushing officials to act.
• Emphasizes commitment to following every development as the case progresses.

Quote:

"A 27 year old woman found hanging in her closet by an ex boyfriend who she'd broken up with months before. Blood at the scene that does not match the official story. Parents begging for answers for years and still this death is labeled a suicide. For now, this case needs a spotlight." – Ashleigh Banfield (22:53)

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• "There are cases that are confounding and there are cases that just defy logic... These are cases where someone somehow decided that these young women killed themselves when the evidence really screams otherwise." – Ashleigh Banfield (00:05)
• "When I look at the diagram, it's just like, who the hell are you trying to kid, right?" – Ashleigh Banfield, discussing Ellen Greenberg (02:12)
• "There's blood on the noose that she supposedly tied around her own neck... the hands that she used to tie that noose are squeaky clean, but there's blood on the noose and there's blood everywhere. How the fuck does that work?" – Ashleigh Banfield (07:35)
• "There is no doubt in my mind that Sonam was murdered. No question in my mind. And there was a physical altercation." – Joseph Podraza (12:42)
• "What gave me the most pause when reviewing this case was the bruises, or impact sites, as I call them, underneath her scalp." – Dr. Priya Banerjee (18:57)
• "There are curiosities to me that don't add up in this case." – Dr. Priya Banerjee (22:27)
• "This case needs a spotlight. So please share this story with a friend. Maybe a bunch of friends. The more people who hear about Sonam, the harder it becomes for the authorities to ignore this case." – Ashleigh Banfield (22:53)

Key Timestamps

• 00:05–04:21: Banfield sets the theme, recounts similar cases (Ellen Greenberg, Sandra Birchmore).
• 04:21–09:21: Details of Sonam Kishatriya's case, crime scene red flags, timeline.
• 09:21–18:23: In-depth interview with attorney Joseph Podraza.
• 18:44–22:37: Forensic analysis and expert opinions from Dr. Priya Banerjee.
• 22:53–End: Banfield’s call to action and closing statements.

Tone & Style

• Ashleigh Banfield: Bold, investigative, irreverent, occasionally profane (“How the fuck does that work?”), always driven by a sense of injustice.
• Guests: Candid, detailed, and passionate in their expertise and advocacy.

Summary:
This episode expertly spotlights a little-known but deeply troubling death in Manhattan, argues the critical need for a real investigation, and invites listeners to participate in the fight for justice by spreading awareness. If you’re looking for a gripping exploration of real-life mystery and the fight against institutional indifference, this is a can’t-miss listen.