Up and Vanished Weekly: UNRESOLVED – Ellen Greenberg

Release Date: June 18, 2025 | Host: Maggie Freeling | Co-Host: Payne Lindsey | Guest: Amy Schlossberg

Introduction

In this episode of Up and Vanished Weekly, hosts Maggie Freeling and Payne Lindsey delve into the perplexing case of Ellen Greenberg, a 27-year-old teacher whose sudden and violent death in January 2011 has left her family and community searching for answers. With insights from criminologist Amy Schlossberg, the episode explores whether Ellen's demise was truly a suicide or if foul play was involved.

Background: Ellen Greenberg’s Life and Struggles

Ellen Greenberg was an only child known for her organizational skills and extroverted personality. She fostered strong relationships, bringing diverse friend groups together, and was deeply committed to her role as a first-grade teacher at Juanita Park Academy. In her personal life, Ellen was engaged to Sam Goldberg, a 28-year-old TV producer, and they were planning to marry on August 13, 2011.

Despite her outward success, Ellen began showing signs of severe anxiety and stress months before her untimely death. Friends and family observed a noticeable shift in her behavior—from confident and outgoing to increasingly insecure and reliant on Sam. She struggled with work-related pressures and even considered quitting her job to move back with her parents in Harrisburg for support.

The Day of Ellen’s Death: January 26, 2011

On the morning of January 26, 2011, Philadelphia was preparing for a significant snowstorm. Ellen maintained regular routines, communicating pleasantly with her mother around 7:00 am and texting a friend later that morning about the impending storm.

At approximately 4:45 pm, Sam left their shared apartment to work out at the gym. Thirty minutes later, he returned to find the apartment door locked from the inside. After unsuccessful attempts to contact Ellen and growing frustration, Sam forced the door open around 6:30 pm. He discovered Ellen in the kitchen, lying in a pool of blood with a knife in her chest—a scene that would ignite years of controversy and suspicion.

Notable Quote:

Sam Goldberg [07:06]: "I just walked into my apartment. She's on the floor with blood everywhere. There's a knife sticking out of her heart."

Initial Investigation and Medical Examiner’s Ruling

First responders quickly pronounced Ellen dead, and authorities initially ruled her death a suicide. This conclusion was based on the presence of a knife in her heart, the lack of visible signs of struggle, and the absence of items typically associated with foul play. However, inconsistencies soon emerged:

• Multiple Stab Wounds: Ellen had 20 stab wounds to her back, neck, skull, and chest, some of which appeared post-mortem.
• Locked Door: The door was reportedly locked from the inside, raising questions about how Sam could have entered without forcing the lock.
• Defensive Wounds: There were no defensive wounds, but multiple bruises in various stages of healing suggested prior injuries.

Notable Quote:

Maggie Freeling [08:06]: "Statistically, women who die by suicide, it's usually not by stabbing, let alone 20 times across her body."

Challenging the Suicide Ruling

Ellen’s family was devastated and skeptical of the suicide ruling. They pointed to:

• Multiple Injuries: The nature and number of stab wounds made suicide implausible.
• Behavior Before Death: Ellen had been actively seeking help, trying different medications, and showed signs of improvement.
• Locked Door Scenario: Questions arose about whether the door was genuinely locked or tampered with, potentially indicating a break-in or forced entry.

Notable Quote:

Ellen’s Father, Joshua Greenberg [46:48]: "We don't believe our daughter committed suicide."

Expert Insight: Amy Schlossberg’s Analysis

Criminologist Amy Schlossberg provided a detailed analysis, highlighting that self-inflicted stab wounds, especially in the manner seen in Ellen’s case, are exceedingly rare. She emphasized the lack of a thorough investigation and the possibility of confirmation bias affecting the initial ruling. Schlossberg raised critical questions:

• Physical Feasibility: Could Ellen have inflicted these wounds on herself, especially the multiple, deep stab wounds without incapacitating herself early in the process?
• Locked Door Mystery: The mechanics of how the door was locked remain unclear, with potential discrepancies in eyewitness accounts.
• Prior Injuries: The bruises suggested possible prior abuse or violence, which were not adequately explored.

Notable Quotes:

Amy Schlossberg [29:56]: "I don't know that it is physically possible that she could have done this to herself."

Amy Schlossberg [32:05]: "Self-inflicted stab wounds are one of the most uncommon forms of suicide and only account for about 3% of all suicides."

Sam Goldberg’s Role and Scrutiny

Sam Goldberg, Ellen’s fiancé, found her body and called 911. While he was cleared of immediate suspicion, his actions and the timeline have been scrutinized. Schlossberg noted that his behavior on that day did not conclusively indicate guilt but acknowledged the logical suspicion that often falls on the closest person to a victim.

Notable Quote:

Amy Schlossberg [37:04]: "Listen, he is, you know, right now, he's innocent until proven guilty. Right?"

Ongoing Legal and Investigative Developments

In 2021, the Philadelphia court ruled to amend Ellen’s official cause of death from suicide to undetermined, allowing for the possibility of reopening the investigation. Ellen’s family continues to advocate for a thorough re-examination of the evidence, pushing for federal authorities to take over the case.

Notable Quote:

Maggie Freeling [46:19]: "Ellen's family cannot comprehend why it has taken so long to properly investigate their daughter's death."

Conclusion: A Case Still Unresolved

Ellen Greenberg’s death remains a deeply contested and unresolved case. While initial authorities concluded suicide, mounting evidence and expert analysis suggest that her death may warrant further investigation as a potential homicide. The case highlights issues of mental health stigmatization, investigative oversights, and the profound impact on those left behind seeking justice.

Final Quote:

Maggie Freeling [47:00]: "... I truly don't know how 20 stab wounds, some of which are post mortem, can be ruled a suicide, but I suppose anything is possible."

Final Thoughts

This episode underscores the complexities involved in determining the true nature of Ellen Greenberg’s death. With new developments and continued advocacy from her family, the pursuit of truth in Ellen’s case exemplifies the challenges faced in the realm of unsolved crimes and wrongful convictions.

For more in-depth analysis and updates, listeners are encouraged to follow Up and Vanished Weekly and engage with the ongoing discussions surrounding this unresolved case.