As parents of 27 years Ellen Greenberga Philadelphia teacher whose 2011 death was ruled a suicide after she was found with 20 stab wounds and covered in bruises, after a major legal battle this week, Greenberg's fiancé, Sam Goldberg, spoke publicly about her death for the first time.
Greenberg's parents, Dr. Josh and Sandy Greenberg, have been embroiled in court battles with the government since their daughter's death, and they disputed the ruling that it was a suicide. They have two active lawsuits, one accusing local officials and the medical examiner's office of covering up their daughter's death and another aiming to replace the “suicide” designation on her death certificate. with “murder” Or “Unspecified”.
Oral arguments in their civil suit were heard Wednesday in a Philadelphia City Hall courtroom. This was the first time the Greenbergs had sat in a courtroom and heard arguments in their daughter's case.
“We are getting closer to getting justice for Elaine,” Sandy said in a statement to Fox News Digital. “We are very determined and will not give up.”
Ellen Greenberg's prosecutors say they can't prove 'suicide' by 20 stab wounds
Ellen Greenberg and Sam Goldberg (Greenberg family)
Greenberg's parents do not believe her death was a suicide, and over the years, forensic scientists, crime scene experts, former law enforcement officials and attorneys have expressed similar opinions.
However, her fiancé seems to think otherwise.
“When Elaine committed suicide, she left me confused. She was a wonderful, kind person who had everything to live for. When she died, a part of me died with her.” Goldberg told CNN In his first public statement about Greenberg's death.
“Inconceivably, in the years that have passed, I have had to endure the unimaginable death of my future wife, and the pathetic and despicable attempts to desecrate my reputation and her privacy by creating a narrative that embraces lies, distortions and falsehoods in order to avoid the truth that mental illness is very real and has many victims. “
“I hope and pray that you never lose someone you love like I did to a terrible disease and then have the ignorant and misinformed accuse you of causing her death. If you're writing a truly honest story, dig a little deeper, and please do some things.” “Good by raising mental health awareness.”
Ellen Greenberg and Sam Goldberg (Greenberg family)
The bride was found in her kitchen with 20 stab wounds, a knife in her chest, and a half-baked fruit salad on the countertop during a snowstorm on January 6, 2011.
After Greenberg's death, Goldberg said he returned from the gym, broke down the door and found Greenberg's deceased body in their shared apartment in Manayunk, a quiet neighborhood in Philadelphia.
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A forensic pathologist with the city medical examiner's office, Dr. Marlon Osborne, initially ruled Greenberg's death a homicide, according to court documents. He then reversed course after meeting with police behind closed doors and officially ruled it a suicide.
Greenberg's stab wounds included 10 from the back, at least one of which could have been inflicted after her death, according to court documents.
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Outside investigators said damage to the lock on Greenberg's apartment door was inconsistent with the report that it had been kicked in from the outside. (Tom Brennan)
Greenberg's parents did not provide a response to Goldberg's statement. However, they have previously described what they believe Elaine was experiencing before her death.
“My daughter was abused,” her father, Josh Greenberg, said. He previously told Fox News Digital. “She had injuries to her body consistent with abuse.”
According to the autopsy report, Greenberg was covered in bruises in various stages of healing, meaning she received them over some time.
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Ellen Greenberg was a 27-year-old Philadelphia teacher whose 2011 death was ruled a suicide after she was found with 20 stab wounds and covered in bruises. (Ellen Greenberg's family)
Greenberg's parents also said that shortly before her death, their daughter wanted to leave the apartment she shared with Goldberg and return to their home in Harrisburg, adding that a psychiatrist, Dr. Ellen Berman, later diagnosed the 27-year-old with diabetes. anxiety. Berman also noted that Greenberg did not have suicidal thoughts or feelings.
Dr. Cyril Wecht, a renowned forensic scientist who conducted an independent review of the autopsy, found that the evidence “raises strong suspicion of murder.”
Wecht, who He died in MayHe previously told Fox News Digital that after looking at the forensic evidence, he believed the idea that Greenberg could have died by suicide was “highly improbable.”
Greenberg's parents, along with outside investigators, have repeatedly raised concerns that police bungled their response to her death and released the scene too soon. They also questioned why Goldberg's uncle, James Schwartzman, was allowed to remove a number of items from the scene.
“Items were removed from the crime scene without our permission. The chain of custody was broken from the beginning when Jim Schwartzman removed my daughter's computers, electronics, and purse,” Greenberg's father previously told Fox News Digital.
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Representing Schwartzman, a judge in Pennsylvania, Respond to these allegations On his behalf, he told Fox News Digital that police gave Schwartzman permission to enter and take Greenberg's belongings. He denied taking her handbag, but confirmed that he took her computers and mobile phones.
Neither Goldberg nor Schwartzman has been accused of any wrongdoing in connection with Greenberg's death.
Ellen Greenberg with her parents Dr. Josh and Sandy Greenberg (Greenberg family)
Chester County Prosecutor's Office Announced last month After conducting an independent investigation, prosecutors are “currently unable to move forward with criminal charges.” They moved Greenberg's case to “inactive” status in Chester County but left it open for reconsideration if they get new information.
In September, Supreme Court of Pennsylvania He agreed to hear arguments from the Greenberg family and their attorneys.
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“The Supreme Court will decide whether or not Sandy and I will have standing. And that's a really big thing… I mean, no one's ever gotten this far before. … I know it's taken almost 14 years, but it's still a long time “Very much.” An important case,” Dr. Greenberg previously told Fox News Digital.
Philadelphia shelves It did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment. They have previously declined to discuss the case, citing the open investigation in Chester County and ongoing civil litigation. Goldberg did not immediately respond for comment.
Fox News' Michael Ruiz contributed to this report.
