Suicide or Murder? The Mysterious Death of Ellen Greenberg

Mystery and Murder: Analysis by Dr. Phil

Dr. Phil McGraw

True Crime, Society & Culture, News

4.4 • 10.1K Ratings

🗓️ 21 November 2025

⏱️ 43 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

In this episode, Dr. Phil breaks down the Philadelphia Medical Examiner's new 32-page report that again rules Ellen Greenberg's death a suicide—despite 23 stab wounds, including several to the back of her head and neck.

Ellen's parents, Josh and Sandy, join Dr. Phil and crime expert Nancy Grace to challenge the ruling and expose contradictions they say investigators continue to overlook. Dr. Phil explains why Ellen showed none of the behavioral red flags typically associated with suicide, while Nancy Grace raises questions about "wrong-way" blood evidence, unexplained bruising, and concerns about the same office re-reviewing its own work.

The conversation dives into disputed psychological findings, the fiancé's 911 call, and why Ellen's family believes an independent federal investigation is the only path to justice.

Ellen's parents make one thing clear: they're not giving up.

This episode is brought to you by BIOptimizers | Magnesium Breakthrough: Visit: https://bioptimizers.com/drphil Promo Code: DrPhil for 15% off and 25% off during black Friday. Stronger, longer, better life.

This episode is brought to you by Sambrosa Night Syrup: Visit https://sambrosa.com/ and use code DRPHIL for 25% off your first order. With a 90 day guarantee, there's no reason for you not to get the help you need.

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0	On January 26, 2011, 27-year-old Ellen Greenberg's parents, Josh and Sandy, got the call that is every parent's worst nightmare.
0:20.0	Their beautiful daughter, a young school teacher, was dead.
0:27.7	Ellen was found in her kitchen.
0:29.9	She had been brutally stabbed 20 times.
0:35.9	Ten of her wounds were to the back of her neck and head. Shockingly, her death was
0:43.2	ruled a suicide. For years, Josh and Sandy Greenberg have been fighting to change Ellen's
0:51.2	cause of death from suicide to undetermined and to reopen the case.
0:59.1	They filed lawsuits, hired experts, and poured their own money into forensic testing
1:04.1	that they say law enforcement refused to do.
1:08.9	In early 2025, the medical examiner who originally ruled the death a suicide,
1:15.4	signed an affidavit stating he no longer believes the evidence supports the original suicide finding.
1:23.2	For a moment, there was fleeting hope. But this month, an independent review by the Philadelphia Medical Examiner's Office shattered
1:32.9	that hope when they reaffirmed the ruling that Ellen's death was a suicide.
1:40.3	Now, Ellen's parents join us today, along with my good friend, Nancy Grace, host of crime
1:47.2	stories, and the author of What Happened to Ellen, an American miscarriage of justice.
1:54.9	So welcome to all three of you.
1:57.5	Sandy and Josh, what was your reaction to hearing that this report, shockingly, once again,
2:06.2	ruled your daughter's death a suicide? Well, of course, I was devastated, but I never expected
2:13.9	her to rule suicide when she was asked to review this. We're calling it independent,
2:23.0	but I don't really know how independent, because there's so much incest in Philadelphia.
2:33.2	I'm very disappointed.
2:35.2	You say it's incestuous up there, but do you have any theory as to why they would be leaning into this suicide finding?
	...

Transcript will be available on the free plan in 5 days. Upgrade to see the full transcript now.

Previous episode | Next episode

Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from Dr. Phil McGraw, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.

Generated transcripts are the property of Dr. Phil McGraw and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.