Podcast Summary: The Deck – Episode: Gwendel Greenblatt (6 of Diamonds, Florida)
Host: audiochuck
Release Date: April 9, 2025
Introduction
In this gripping episode of The Deck, host Ashley Flowers delves into the tragic and mysterious case of Gwendel Greenblatt, a 35-year-old massage therapist from West Palm Beach, Florida. As the "6 of Diamonds" on the deck symbolizes, Gwen's case has remained unsolved for years, leaving her family and friends yearning for justice.
The Victim and Her Background
Gwendel Greenblatt, affectionately known as Gwen, was a dedicated massage therapist working at the luxurious Breakers Resort in Palm Beach. Separated from her husband, Matthew Greenblatt, Gwen had developed a close bond with her friends Christina and Sarah, who became her pillars of support during her tumultuous marriage.
Notable Quotes:
- Chad (Gwen's Brother) [25:55]: "You know, she was just like a super cool person. Everybody loved her. You know, she was just nice to everybody. A kind soul, funny, charismatic."
- Christina [04:10]: "I'm going to be in the same boat as you. I'm going to be going through a divorce and we'll just, we'll make it together, we'll make it on our own together and we'll be here for each other."
The Day of the Murder
On Wednesday, February 5, 2003, around 3:30 PM, Gwen was driving home from work when she engaged in a conversation with her friend Christina. They were discussing Gwen's impending divorce, a conversation that highlighted the strained relationship with her husband, Matt.
Key Events:
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Phone Call Interruptions: Christina recounted how Gwen was emotionally distraught, discussing her therapist's advice about the divorce ([04:34]).
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Sudden Silence: Their conversation was abruptly cut short when Christina heard a loud scream and her dog, Shaquille, barking ([05:05]). Initially, Christina feared Gwen had fallen down the steep stairs of her apartment complex but soon realized something was terribly wrong when Gwen failed to return her calls.
Notable Quotes:
- Christina [05:05]: "So she let out this huge scream and I heard her dog barking so I knew she was home."
- Sarah [06:39]: "And the cop started to say to me, well, I don't think she's going to know."
Initial Investigation
Upon witnessing Gwen's lifeless body with two gunshot wounds (one to the face and another to the top of her head), Detective Aaron Sam and Investigator William Frazier from the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office began piecing together the evidence.
Findings:
- Lack of Signs of Forced Entry: Gwen was found in her closet, suggesting she was ambushed.
- Dog's Behavior: Gwen's dog, Shaquille, was unharmed, leading detectives to believe the dog was familiar with the attacker.
- Bullet Casings: Found from a .380 caliber gun, indicating a probable firearm used in the attack.
- Cigarette Butts: Two butts were found outside Gwen's apartment—one still burning and another extinguished nearby.
Notable Quotes:
- William Frazier [08:45]: "Assassinated."
- Frazier [09:15]: "When they did it, like Detective Sam stated, there was personal items belonging to her, the most significant being the sweater on the floor."
The Prime Suspect: Her Husband, Matt Greenblatt
Matthew "Matt" Greenblatt, Gwen's separated husband, emerged as the primary suspect due to multiple factors surrounding their strained relationship.
Motivations:
- Financial Stakes: The couple had a prenup wherein Matt would owe Gwen $70,000 in the event of a divorce. However, Gwen's untimely death meant Matt stood to gain financially ([21:05]).
- Controlling Behavior: Matt was known to be emotionally abusive and jealous, maintaining control over Gwen even after their separation.
- Affairs: Investigations revealed Matt was involved in multiple affairs, adding to the suspicion.
Evidence Against Matt:
- Gunshot Residue: Matt tested positive for gunpowder residue, though this evidence was deemed unreliable in court ([16:56]).
- DNA on Sweater and Cigarettes: Matt's DNA was found on Gwen's sweater and one of the cigarette butts found outside her apartment ([21:32]).
Notable Quotes:
- William Frazier [21:05]: "It's always three things. Sex, drugs, money. This murder here falls into that category. What's the answer out of the 3? Money."
- Frazier [22:36]: "Matt never, ever, ever became emotional regarding the death of his wife."
Additional Suspects and Evidence
As the investigation progressed, another individual, Richard Engel, became a person of interest due to DNA evidence found on one of the cigarette butts. Engel, serving time in a South Carolina prison for federal fraud and with a history of violent offenses, was interrogated in 2013. However, concrete connections between Matt and Richard remained elusive.
Investigative Theories:
- Collusion Between Matt and Richard: Detectives theorized that Matt and Richard might have conspired to murder Gwen, using Richard as the gunman.
- Unresolved DNA Evidence: While Matt's DNA was linked to one cigarette butt, Richard's DNA matched another, suggesting the possibility of an accomplice or a hired gun ([31:56]).
Challenges:
- Lack of Concrete Evidence: Despite the theories, no direct evidence linked Richard to the murder, and Matt denied any involvement ([32:10]).
- Alibi Verification: Matt's alibis, such as visiting a pizza place or getting a haircut, could not be corroborated ([16:30]).
Notable Quotes:
- William Frazier [32:54]: "It looks like your DNA on that cigarette right now."
- Aaron Sam [30:06]: "This is a murder investigation."
Current Status and Call for Information
Years of investigation have not yielded a definitive resolution to Gwen's murder. Despite the accumulation of circumstantial evidence pointing towards Matt Greenblatt, the case remains unsolved due to the lack of concrete proof and reliable alibis.
Ongoing Efforts:
- Retesting Evidence: Detectives continue to retest evidence as forensic technology advances.
- Public Assistance: The Deck urges listeners to come forward with any information that might shed light on Gwen's death.
Notable Quotes:
- Chad [41:06]: "If you really didn't have anything to do with this, why don't you give us a call?"
- Ashley Flowers [42:35]: "If you know anything about the murder of Gwendell Gwen Greenblatt... please come forward."
Conclusion
The tragic case of Gwendel Greenblatt remains a haunting mystery within Florida's cold cases. As The Deck continues to shed light on Gwen's story, the hope is that someone listening might hold the key to finally solving this heartbreaking case and delivering the justice Gwen so desperately deserves.
Call to Action
If you have any information regarding the murder of Gwendel Greenblatt, you can remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers of Palm Beach County at 1-800-458-8477. Your assistance could be pivotal in bringing closure to this enduring mystery.
Produced by: audiochuck
Theme Music by: Ryan Lewis
Learn More: thedeckpodcast.com