Just days after federal authorities announced a reopening of the investigation into the mysterious death of Philadelphia teacher Ellen Greenberg, her former fiancé, Sam Goldberg, has been seen in New York City. Goldberg, now 43, was spotted leaving his Manhattan residence, valued at $1.88 million, which he shares with his wife and two children, as reported by the Daily Mail.
Despite the significant developments in the Greenberg case, Goldberg remained silent and declined to comment on the renewed federal interest in the 2011 case, where Greenberg was discovered with 23 stab wounds under controversial circumstances.
On January 15, 2026, Sam Goldberg was photographed exiting his New York City apartment. This sighting coincides with the announcement from federal prosecutors that they would be taking another look at the death of his former fiancée, Ellen Greenberg, based on information from law enforcement sources.
Sandee Greenberg, Ellen’s mother, expressed her relief to the Daily Mail over the federal involvement, stating, “It’s very good news as it removes the case from the hands of the Philadelphia state authorities, whom we cannot trust, and places it with the federal government.”
She continued, “There has been so much corruption; we need fresh eyes on this case. It’s been a long journey. January 26 will mark 15 years, but we are gaining momentum, and Ellen knows.”
“There’s been so much corruption they need fresh eyes on it,” she added. “It’s been a very long time coming. January 26 will be 15 years but we’re gaining momentum and Ellen knows.”
The case made headlines after Goldberg discovered 27-year-old Greenberg with over 20 stab wounds covering her body, including to the back of her head and her heart.
Ellen Greenberg, left, in an undated family photo. (Greenberg family)
The circumstances surrounding Greenberg’s death have fueled debate for years, with investigators pointing to the fact that her body was discovered inside a locked apartment that had been forced open by Goldberg after she failed to respond.
Her death was initially ruled a homicide, but reclassified as a suicide in 2011 when assistant medical examiner Dr. Marlon Osbourne changed the manner of death after meeting with Philadelphia Police investigators.
Goldberg has never been named a suspect or been accused of any crime in connection to Greenberg’s death.
Sam Goldberg is pictured leaving his New York City apartment on Jan. 15, 2026. (The US Sun / Mega)
Following the release of a Hulu documentary shedding fresh light on the case in October 2025, Goldberg said that he had been “screwed over” by the film, including his 911 call when he found his fiancée’s body, in which he told authorities she “fell on a knife.”
“Yeah I have been. It’s awful and it sucks,” he told the Mail. “But I have nothing else to say.”
Last month, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania requested documents relating to the case from the Philadelphia Police Department and other agencies, according to The Philadelphia Inquirer.
However, federal authorities are reportedly not expected to look into the ruling that Greenberg’s death was a suicide, but instead will look into the possibility of criminal corruption among local officials at the time of the investigation.
Dr. Josh and Sandee Greenberg in Philadelphia after a settlement was reached with the city in their daughter Ellen’s case. (Gavin Fish )
In 2022, Greenberg’s family filed a lawsuit against the city over the handling of the investigation into her death.
In 2023, Pennsylvania’s Commonwealth Court acknowledged that errors were made in the investigation, but opted to dismiss a lawsuit filed by Greenberg’s family looking to change her official manner of death.
Last year, the Philadelphia Medical Examiner’s Office reaffirmed its decision to classify Greenberg’s death as a suicide, in a significant blow to her family, according to People.
In a ruling, the court reportedly conceded it had “no choice under the law” to have the manner of death changed, but admitted, “This court is acutely aware of the deeply flawed investigation of the victim’s death by the City of Philadelphia Police Department (PPD) detectives, the City of Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office (DAO), and the MEO [Medical Examiner’s Office].”
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment. Fox News Digital was unable to immediately reach Goldberg for comment.
