Philadelphia’s Chief Medical Examiner, Lindsay Simon, is standing by her conclusion that 27-year-old Ellen Greenberg died by suicide, despite new evidence revealing three additional stab wounds and 20 previously undetected bruises. The reexamination of the case, part of a settlement reached between Greenberg’s parents and the city in February, found that the total number of bruises on Greenberg’s body increased to 31 and the number of stab wounds rose to 23.
Simon’s decision goes against that of pathologist Marlon Osbourne, who initially ruled Greenberg’s death as homicide but later changed it to suicide. Her review, based on several factors including Greenberg’s anxiety about her work as a first-grade teacher, concluded that her death was best classified as “Suicide”.
However, experts disagree with Simon’s findings, citing inconsistencies in the case and questioning the city’s investigation. Five of seven consultative reports from forensic experts found that the case is indicative of homicide or “not biomechanically consistent with suicide”. A sixth report concluded that Greenberg’s body had been moved.
The Greenbergs’ attorneys claim that the investigation was botched and that the new evidence suggests Greenberg did not kill herself. They are expected to withdraw their lawsuits against the city, as part of a settlement.
The case has received renewed attention after a Hulu documentary series premiered in September, with experts now questioning whether Greenberg’s death could have been an accident or a homicide. The spinal cord specimen examined by forensic expert Wayne K. Ross suggested that Greenberg was already dead when the wound was inflicted.
Despite the new evidence, Simon remains confident in her ruling and has relied heavily on reports from Greenberg’s family, friends, and psychiatrist. However, many are left with doubts about the accuracy of the investigation and whether justice has been served for Ellen Greenberg’s family.
Source: https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia/ellen-greenberg-case-update-2025-suicide-ruling-pennsylvania-20251013.html