PHILADELPHIA — 2011 · Suspicious Death
The Death of Ellen Greenberg
Ellen Greenberg, a 27-year-old teacher, was found dead with multiple stab wounds on 26 January 2011 in her apartment in Philadelphia's Manayunk neighbourhood; the apartment was locked from the inside. The medical examiner first recorded the death as a homicide but soon changed the ruling to suicide. Because of the number and location of the wounds, her family contested the ruling and fought a legal battle for years. In February 2025 the family and the City of Philadelphia reached a $650,000 settlement that included a new review of the death. The October 2025 review reaffirmed the suicide ruling. In December 2025 federal prosecutors opened a separate inquiry into how the investigation had been handled.
- Date
- 2011
- Place
- Pennsylvania, USA, Philadelphia, US
- Category
- Suspicious Death
- Case Status
- Under Investigation
- Coordinates
- 40.0262, -75.2230 ↗
Timeline of Events
- 26 January 2011Greenberg was found dead in her apartment, locked from the inside.
- 2011The death was ruled first a homicide, then a suicide.
- February 2025The family settled with the city, which agreed to a new review.
- October 2025The review reaffirmed the suicide ruling.
- December 2025 – January 2026Federal prosecutors began examining how the case had been handled.
Sources
- CNN — Ellen Greenberg death review (2025) cnn.com ↗
- The Philadelphia Inquirer — Federal prosecutors and the Greenberg case (2026) inquirer.com ↗
- Wikipedia — Death of Ellen Greenberg en.wikipedia.org ↗
- CNN
- The Philadelphia Inquirer
- Wikipedia
Source grade A: several independent sources, at least one an official record or reference work. If you spot a mistake or something missing, report it with "Suggest a correction" in the app.
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🕯️ This record was prepared with respect, in memory of those who lost their lives.