Ellen Greenberg
Stabbed 20 Times in Neck and Head
Authorities Re-Confirm … Suicide
Published October 13, 2025 12:42 PM PDT
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Updated October 14, 2025 12:13 PM PDT
Ellen Greenberg’s death in 2011 is once again ruled a suicide, with the Philadelphia Medical Examiner’s Office revisiting the case involving a woman found with numerous stabbing wounds to the back of her neck and head.
This decision is sure to ignite significant debate … Greenberg, who was just 27 and worked as a teacher in Philadelphia, was discovered deceased by her fiancé in 2011 … she had 20 stab wounds in the cervical region and head, with a knife still stuck in her chest. Initial assessments labeled her death a homicide … however, after discussions with Philadelphia PD, assistant Medical Examiner Dr. Marlon Osbourne concluded it was a suicide.
Fast-forward to February 2025 … amid pressure from Greenberg’s family, the medical examiner’s office took a second look at the evidence … and stands by the suicide ruling.
Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Lindsay Simon reassessed the findings and, in a report issued on October 10, stated, “while the pattern of injuries is indeed unusual, it is still plausible that Ellen could have inflicted these wounds on herself.”
The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that Simon found an additional 20 bruises and three more “perforations in the skin” that were not documented in the initial autopsy … but still concluded that her death was a suicide.
This ruling is certainly stirring the conversation … questions are arising about how someone could stab themselves repeatedly in the back and head and label it a suicide?
TMZ reached out to the Medical Examiner for clarification on how they believe Ellen could have achieved this herself … as of now, no response has been received.
Representing the Greenberg family, attorney Joseph Podraza Jr. told TMZ … “Dr. Simonâs so-called ‘independent review’ of Ellen Greenbergâs death is a deeply flawed effort to legitimize a predetermined conclusion. The report includes false assertionsâlike the claim that a stab wound in Ellenâs spinal column occurred during the autopsy, a theory rejected by numerous credible experts, including the Cityâs own neuropathologist. By overlooking key evidence that contradicts suicideâsuch as comprehensive 3D photogrammetry demonstrating that Ellen couldnât have inflicted all the wounds, undisclosed bruises, absent surveillance footage, an intact door lock, and reports of an unhealthy relationshipâSimon constructs a flimsy argument based on distorted representations of Ellenâs mental health, misrepresenting her struggles with manageable anxiety that impacts over 40 million Americans daily. Shame on you, Simon.”
Podraza added … “This report is nothing but drivel, a disgrace to the City, and an affront to Ellen and her family. All Ellenâs family ever sought was the truth. It has become clear that this truth will not be revealed by Philadelphiaâs law enforcement. Even though the city has turned its back on her, we will pursue all necessary channels to seek justice for her murder.”
If you or someone you know is facing a crisis, help is at hand. Call or text 988 or visit 988lifeline.org.
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