The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania has formally requested documents and information from the Philadelphia Police Department and other agencies regarding the 2011 death of 27-year-old school teacher Ellen Greenberg, sources told News Of Philadelphia.
At a Glance
- Federal prosecutors subpoenaed records tied to Greenberg’s 20-stab death last month
- Original 2011 homicide ruling was later switched to suicide and has remained unchanged
- Greenberg’s parents settled with Philadelphia for $650,000 in February 2025 after years of litigation
- New medical examiner reaffirmed suicide finding in October 2025
- Why it matters: The federal request signals the first outside review of a case the family claims was covered up
Federal Subpoena Breaks 15-Year Stalemate
Greenberg was found dead inside her sixth-floor Manayunk apartment in January 2011. She had 20 stab wounds. The original medical examiner ruled the death a homicide, but the ruling was later changed to suicide-a classification that has survived multiple legal challenges and two civil lawsuits by her parents.
Sources told News Of Philadelphia the subpoena was served last month; neither the U.S. Attorney’s Office nor the City of Philadelphia will confirm or deny the existence of the request. The Philadelphia Police Department issued a brief statement: “The Department does not comment on ongoing legal matters.”
Timeline of a Contested Death
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Jan. 2011 | Greenberg found dead, 20 stab wounds; homicide ruling |
| Months later | Ruling switched to suicide |
| 2012-2024 | Parents file suits, demand independent review |
| Jan. 2025 | Original medical examiner signs sworn statement: death “should be designated as something other than suicide” |
| Feb. 2025 | City agrees to $650,000 settlement and new autopsy review |
| Oct. 2025 | Second medical examiner retains suicide finding |
| Nov. 2025 | Federal subpoena served |
Inside the October 2025 Autopsy
The 32-page report released in October cited:
- Greenberg’s documented struggle with anxiety
- Presence of hesitation wounds
- No evidence of an abusive relationship
- No signs anyone else was inside the apartment that day
The Greenbergs rejected the findings, maintaining the physical evidence- including the number and trajectory of wounds-points to homicide.
Settlement Ends Civil Suits, But Questions Remain
Under the February agreement, the family dropped all lawsuits in exchange for the cash payment and a promise that the medical examiner would conduct an independent review. When the second review again concluded suicide, the family’s legal options narrowed-until the federal subpoena surfaced.
Jordan M. Lewis reported that the U.S. Attorney’s Office, in keeping with policy, declined to confirm or deny any investigation.
What Happens Next
It remains unclear how the federal government became involved or what specific records were requested. Sources said agents asked for case files, forensic reports, and communications between city agencies.
Greenberg’s parents and their attorneys have not commented publicly on the federal action, but a person close to the family told News Of Philadelphia they view the subpoena as “the first independent look in 15 years.”
Key Takeaways
- The federal subpoena marks the first outside review of evidence Philadelphia officials have defended for over a decade
- City taxpayers have already paid $650,000 to settle litigation tied to the case
- Two separate medical examiners-one in 2011 and another in 2025-have classified the death as suicide
- The U.S. Attorney’s Office could pursue civil-rights violations, obstruction claims, or simply archive the materials without further action
The file now sits with federal prosecutors, leaving the Greenberg family waiting-once again-for an official answer to how their daughter died.
