What Happened to Ellen?

An American Miscarriage of Justice

By: Nancy Grace, Benée Knauer - contributor

Narrated by: 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

Such a sad story

Excellent detailing. Nancy spoke slowly when she wanted to make a point and it got my attention. I know what I think happened to Ellen, but I am having trouble reconciling all the lies to cover it up. Ellen deserves justice and Nancy advocates for Ellen and her family beautifully. We see the bulldog Nancy with whom we are familiar, but we also see a soft side to her and hear tears in her voice. I cried while listening to this book. I pray for justice for Ellen. Well done Nancy Grace!

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.

Miscarriage of justice

Nancy Grace gives a good summary of the case and all the issues plus legal analysis

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.,

Great read

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