Skip to content
Link copied to clipboard

From 2011: Uncertainty remains over what led to 1st-grade teacher’s death

Police are still trying to piece together the final moments of Ellen Rae Greenberg, who was found dead inside her Manayunk apartment earlier this week.

Police are still trying to piece together the final moments of Ellen Rae Greenberg, who was found dead inside her Manayunk apartment earlier this week.

Greenberg's body was discovered by her fiancé about 6:30 Wednesday night inside a sixth-floor condo they shared at Venice Lofts, on Flat Rock Road near Main Street.

Police said the 27-year-old, who taught first grade at Juniata Park Academy, had suffered numerous stab wounds to her upper body.

Her death was ruled a homicide by the Medical Examiner's Office.

Police sources, however, said that investigators haven't ruled out the possibility that Greenberg committed suicide.

Detectives have not developed any suspects or pinpointed any motives.

There was no evidence of forced entry at Greenberg's apartment, sources said.

Greenberg was at work on Wednesday and was last seen entering her apartment building a few hours before her fiancé made the horrific discovery.

She was laid to rest yesterday.

Dozens of friends and co-workers expressed their shock and sadness over Greenberg's death on an Internet sympathy page.

One friend described Greenberg as a "beautiful person" and a "great teacher" who touched the lives of many students at Juniata Park Academy.

"Ellen's dedication to her students and the Juniata Park School Community was an inspiration," wrote another.

Residents at Venice Lofts who lived on the same floor as Greenberg said she was friendly and talkative.

A man who lived down the hall from Greenberg but declined to be named said he didn't hear any commotion the night Greenberg was found dead.

The luxury condo building is equipped with 24-hour concierge service at the front door, but the resident said people often allow friends in through the side and back doors.