Prosecutors are dealing a new blow to the family of Ellen Greenberg, whose death was ruled a suicide despite being stabbed 20 times

Philadelphia prosecutors have dealt a new blow to the family of a woman who was found dead from more than 20 stab wounds in 2011, deciding that no criminal charges will be filed in the case.

Ellen Greenberg, a 27-year-old teacher, was found dead by her fiancé Samuel Goldberg on January 26, 2011, in their Manayunk neighborhood apartment. She was slumped against the cupboards with her legs stretched out in front of her. The beloved elementary school teacher had been stabbed at least 20 times, including multiple times in the back, neck and back of the head. A 10-inch knife was lodged in her chest.

Philadelphia coroner Marlon Osbourne initially ruled her death a homicide. But police deemed her death a suicide and publicly disputed the findings, leading to her death being ruled a suicide without explanation.

For more than a decade, the Greenberg family has been fighting to finally get answers about what happened to her and to have her manner of death changed from suicide back to murder or unexplained.

But now the Chester County District Attorney’s Office has announced that it will not be able to file criminal charges in this case.

The prosecutor’s office, which has been investigating the case since 2022, said in a statement Friday that it could not prove beyond a reasonable doubt that a crime was committed, so the investigation was put on hold.

“This standard of proof – beyond a reasonable doubt – distinguishes the criminal investigation from other legal cases or issues relating to Ms. Greenberg’s death,” a spokesman said.

“Because we cannot meet our burden of proof with the information and evidence currently available, we have placed this investigation on an inactive status.”

There is no statute of limitations for criminal homicide in Pennsylvania, so charges can still be filed later.

Greenberg’s parents, Joshua and Sandra Greenberg, released a statement saying the prosecutor’s conclusion did not change their belief that their daughter was murdered.

“Our belief that Ellen was murdered does not change as a result of the announcement from the Chester County District Attorney’s Office. Admittedly, the investigation conducted by the Chester County District Attorney’s Office was extremely limited and limited,” family attorney Joseph Podraza Jr. told NBC Philadelphia.

Podraza said the DA’s office “has not investigated the key points we have raised that prove Ellen was murdered and that the evidence remains unchallenged.”

“Another highly experienced homicide prosecutor, employed during his time with the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office, conducted his own independent review of this case, thoroughly examined all issues surrounding Ellen’s death, and came to the opposite conclusion that Ellen was murdered “, said the lawyer.

“We now look forward to an upcoming trial where a full and open investigation into the core issues surrounding Ellen’s murder can be conducted publicly before an independent judge and a jury of our peers.”

Earlier this year, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court agreed to hear Greenberg’s case to consider whether “executors and executors have standing to challenge an erroneous determination in the decedent’s death certificate if that determination constitutes an impediment or material impediment to obtaining the death certificate.” Compensation for victims, reparations or wrongful death as well as private criminal charges.”

The Greenbergs have also filed two civil lawsuits over the years, including against members of the coroner’s office, police and prosecutors.

If you are a U.S. resident and you or someone you know needs mental health help right now, call the National Suicide Prevention Helpline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). This is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

If you are in another country, you can go there www.befrienders.org to find a hotline near you.