Philadelphia court closes review of Ellen Greenberg case, but family vows to continue fight
PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- In an exclusive interview with ABC's Nightline, Josh and Sandee Greenberg reacted to the city's findings that reaffirmed its ruling that their daughter's 2011 death was a suicide.
"I was kicked in the stomach, pretty much," Sandee Greenberg said. "I don't know what our future options are, but the one thing, we're not going away, and we're not giving up. So just because there was a period at the end of the sentence does not mean we forgot about our daughter."
Josh Greenberg added, "We want to know the truth."
RELATED: Hulu docuseries reexamines mysterious death of Philadelphia teacher
The findings by the current medical examiner, who was not the initial medical examiner on the case, were part of a legal settlement in one of two lawsuits the Greenbergs filed against the city. Their 14-year effort to challenge the official ruling is now the focus of a three-part Hulu docuseries, which follows their legal battle to have the manner of death changed back to homicide or undetermined.
Ellen Greenberg, 27, was found dead in her locked Manayunk apartment by her fiancé in 2011. The medical examiner initially ruled her death a homicide, but later changed the ruling to suicide.
The Philadelphia Medical Examiner's Office on Monday issued a report affirming its ruling that the stabbing was a suicide.
The original autopsy revealed Greenberg had been stabbed 20 times in the neck, back, head, and heart, and had 11 bruises. The latest report added three superficial stab wounds and 20 additional bruises.
The matter was considered closed following a court hearing on Tuesday.
RELATED: Read Dr. Simon's full report on Ellen Greenberg's death
Despite the unusual distribution of injuries, the medical examiner concluded that Ellen Greenberg could have inflicted them herself, citing her history of anxiety.
Her family and legal team strongly dispute that conclusion.
"It's an unsubstantiated attack on Ellen's mental state," said Will Trask, an attorney for the Greenbergs. "It's not an objective, independent review of the actual physical evidence."
"It's garbage, and the Greenbergs are going to treat it like garbage," Trask continued. "We are too, and we're going to push through and look for justice outside the City of Philadelphia because it's clear the city has no interest in the truth."
The Greenbergs say they will continue to seek answers about their daughter's death, despite the city's final ruling.
READ MORE: William Trask, the Greenberg's family attorney, blasted the findings in a statement to 6abc Action News on Monday:
"Simon's so-called 'independent review' of Ellen Greenberg's death is a deeply flawed attempt to justify a predetermined conclusion. It includes false claims - like the assertion that a stab wound in Ellen's spinal column was made during autopsy, a theory rejected by every credible expert, including the City's own neuropathologist.
"By ignoring key evidence that contradicts suicide-the extensive 3D photogrammetry, a recreation which proves Ellen could not self-inflict all of the wounds, unexplained bruises, missing surveillance footage, an intact lock, accounts of a toxic relationship, etc. - Simon builds a flimsy case on distorted portrayals of Ellen's mental health, propped up by cynical distortions of Ellen's managed anxiety, a condition widely experienced daily by over 40 million Americans.
"Shame on Dr. Simon. This report is an embarrassment to the City and an insult to Ellen and her family. Ellen's family just wanted the truth. It is clear the truth will not come from Philadelphia's law enforcement machinery. Though Ellen's city turned its back on her, we will continue through other avenues to get justice for her murder, by any means necessary."
The review of Greenberg's death came after a settlement between her family and the City of Philadelphia, who have been fighting to have the suicide ruling changed for more than 14 years.
Shortly before the settlement, Dr. Marlon Osbourne, the pathologist who performed the autopsy, said in a court document that Greenberg's death "should be designated as something other than suicide."
Osbourne had originally classified the death a homicide before changing it to suicide two weeks later.
Dr. Osbourne said in the court filing, "Since issuing the amended death certificate, I have become aware of additional information," and "it is my professional opinion Ellen's manner of death should be designated as something other than suicide."
