What Happened to Ellen?

An American Miscarriage of Justice

De: Nancy Grace, Benée Knauer - contributor

Narrado por: Nancy Grace

How could this have happened in the United States?

Is it even humanly possible that this young woman could have so brutally and with such unimaginable Herculean force fatally stabbed herself more than twenty times?

Beautiful, accomplished, and beloved, Ellen Greenberg was a vivacious and affectionate teacher of young children she adored. Always upbeat, she deeply loved her family and friends, and especially her fiancée, Sam Goldberg, with whom she was planning a wedding. In fact, they’d just sent out the save-the-date announcements when, on January 26, 2011, Ellen was found in the kitchen of the luxury apartment she shared with Sam, a knife still plunged in her chest. She’d been brutally stabbed more than twenty times, at least one of the wounds having been assessed as occurring post-mortem. The autopsy by the Philadelphia medical examiner recorded homicide as the cause of death. Following secretive meetings, including the Philadelphia Police Department, District Attorney’s Office, and possibly members of the Attorney General’s Office, the cause of death was changed to “suicide.” How could that possibly be? Could this petite, twenty-seven-year-old woman have so forcibly murdered herself, hitting parts of her body no one could reach with such Herculean force, again and again and again? Top forensics investigators who have painstakingly studied this case take huge exception to the suicide finding. They say it’s impossible. Period. So why can’t Ellen Greenberg’s still grieving parents get the Philadelphia justice system to simply reopen the case, despite a groundswell of public pressure and thirteen years of legal battles and appeals? Why is it that even the Philadelphia Supreme Court called the handling of the case questionable and even riddled with mistakes but stopped short of ordering a new investigation?

©2025 Nancy Grace with Benée Knauer (P)2025 Recorded Books

Thank you for sharing your story

Love that is was Nancy voice! What a sad story this poor family. I can’t believe everyone that has covered this up can live with themselves.

Heartbreaking and infuriating

I love the Philadelphia area and I teach criminal justice. I've been following this case for years. Nancy Grace did an awesome job in laying out this miscarriage of justice and giving voice to the outrage that I feel. I keep praying that the truth will be revealed for the sake of Ellen's parents.

Wow - what a story!

Nancy, thank you for giving this miscarriage of justice a powerful voice. Please keep shouting about this story from every rooftop available to you. You are blessed with more resources than the average citizen and this family needs you. What can the public do to help? I’m afraid this type of thing happens more than we realize. My husband, a police officer for 43 years, was absolutely appalled by this story. I don’t know how one family can have this much clout but they certainly have something on somebody for this conspiracy to run this deep. We the people need to join forces with this family and demand justice!

Outstanding Book!

The story of the facts reference and information given are astounding. The commitment of the parents sacrificing everything including their livelihood to clear their daughter’s name is heartbreaking. This NEVER should have happened this way. The ideology of the Philadelphia PD needs to change! Clean sweep and terminate anyone who had any dealings with this case. They are NOT above the law! The parents are a lot more forgiving than I would have been. Kudos to the parents for not accepting a ruling because someone said so. Karma is a B***H! I hope whatever coward did this, has their day in court. What a pathetic excuse of a human being!! (Yes, I have my suspicions on WHO that person is.) Continued prayers to the team fighting this battle. May the obstacles be moved out of your way and justice be served! 🙏🏻

Great read

A lot of repetitive narrative but excellent story of injustice. Nancy Grace is extremely knowledgeable and engaging.

Justice For Ellen!

A tragic story of a beautiful young woman whose life was violently ended and the debacle that was called an investigation. Told with empathy and detail by Nancy herself.,

An incredulous story

Mind-boggling miscarriage of justice, corruption, and coverup. Story is a bit repetitive in parts but, to me, did not detract from the overall story. Frightening to me that one of the players in this saga was, possibly is in the future, one or two steps from the White House.

Great story, total miscarriage of justice however…..

It leaves a lot to question like the fiance. Its obvious he did it. It tends to drag on and a bit vague at times and then it whines. I am so sympathetic to her parents. I can't even imagine but sometimes it seems like the author tries way too hard to gain empathy for her family. It isn't necessary.

I listened to the Meghyn Kelly podcast and that was far more informative than the book.