The Pennsylvania district attorney announced that their outside investigation into the death of 27-year-old Ellen Greenberg has been unable to lead to criminal charges. Greenberg was found dead in her Philadelphia home in 2011 with 20 stab wounds, which was initially ruled a suicide. Her parents have been fighting to have her death certificate changed to either “homicide” or “undetermined” as they believe she was murdered. Despite the DA’s office conducting a new investigation, they could not prove beyond a reasonable doubt that a crime had occurred, leaving the case in an “inactive” status but open for re-examination with new information.
There is no statute of limitations for criminal homicide, and the case remains open, but investigators will not be answering questions about the matter. The DA’s office consulted an independent forensic expert and re-interviewed key individuals from the original investigation but was unable to move forward with criminal charges. Although the investigation was shared with Greenberg’s parents, they feel that the DA’s office did not go deep enough into the case and that evidence pointing towards murder remains unchallenged. The family’s attorney criticized the limited and constrained investigation while pointing out the lack of training in forensic pathology of the expert consulted by the DA’s office.
The district attorney’s office initiated an independent investigation two years ago after both Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner and former Attorney General Josh Shapiro recused themselves from the case due to potential conflicts of interest. Shapiro had conducted a review during his time as attorney general, but new expert testimony and information had been withheld from investigators. Despite the DA’s announcement, Greenberg’s parents are planning to pursue their fight for justice and have gained a case hearing with Pennsylvania’s Supreme Court to argue their standing in the case.
At the time of her death, Greenberg had been engaged to Sam Goldberg, and the couple had recently sent out “save-the-dates” for their upcoming wedding. Her body was discovered in the kitchen with 20 stab wounds, covered in bruises consistent with abuse. A forensic pathologist first ruled her death a homicide before changing it to a suicide after meeting with police behind closed doors. Greenberg’s parents and outside investigators have raised concerns about the police response to her death and the release of the crime scene too early. They have questioned why items were removed from the scene, including computers and cell phones, by Goldberg’s uncle, James Schwartzman.
Despite concerns about the handling of the case, neither Goldberg nor Schwartzman have been charged with any wrongdoing in Greenberg’s death. The Philadelphia police have not commented on the case due to the ongoing civil litigation and investigation in Chester County. With the case remaining open, Greenberg’s family is determined to continue their fight for justice for Ellen. Sandee Greenberg hopes that not only will they find justice for their daughter but that their case may set a precedent for other victims of similar crimes by bringing attention to their lawsuits and seeking resolution.
