February 2025, From the desk of Sam Berlin, LUNASHARK Media provides updates on several ongoing and shocking investigations.
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Ellen Greenberg Cause of Death Reopened, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
The state medical examiner’s office is reconsidering the cause of death for Ellen Greenberg, just weeks after officials ruled that there was not enough evidence to pursue a criminal investigation.
On Feb. 3, the Pennsylvania Medical Examiner’s Office announced that Ellen’s cause of death would be reinvestigated. On Feb. 21, an Order Granting Petition for Allowance of Appeal was filed with the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania.
Although Ellen, 27, was found deceased on her kitchen floor with over 20 stab wounds and a knife in her chest, her Jan. 2011 death was initially ruled a suicide.
Marlon Osbourne, the medical examiner who originally reviewed the case, stated publicly in January that he re-reviewed the case and was reconsidering his listed cause of death.
NBC News reports that Dr. Osbourne made the announcement after reviewing more information obtained from police and a consult with Dr. Lucy Rorke-Adams. Dr. Rorke-Adams is a pediatric neuropathologist and former president of the American Association of Neuropathologists.
In a statement obtained by ABC News, Dr. Osbourne said he was introduced to new information he did not have at the time of his original decision that changed his opinion.
In a publicly released 911 call, Ellen’s fiancé Samuel Goldberg, told the operator that he went to the gym for 30 minutes before he arrived back to find the front door locked. He stated in the call that he could not tell where Ellen was bleeding from, saying that she “may have slipped” and “fell on a knife.”
In one of the family’s lawsuits, they allege that there is an alleged coverup keeping justice from being served in Ellen’s case, accusing Philadelphia police of breaches at the crime scene and pressuring the medical examiner’s office.
We also find it important to note that Samuel, who discovered Ellen, is reportedly related to prominent Pennsylvania Judge James Schwartzman, whom he allegedly called after discovering Ellen’s body.
A spokesperson for the City of Philadelphia Law Department told NBC News that a settlement had been reached, including an independent review of Ellen’s autopsy files.
Sonya Massey’s Family Awarded $10 Million, Springfield, Illinois
The family of Sonya Massey received some justice in February with a $10 million settlement following her murder at the hands of a former police officer in July 2024.
The settlement follows the wrongful death suit filed on behalf of Sonya, who was shot by former Sangamon County Sheriff’s Deputy Sean Grayson after she called 911 from inside her home. She was only 36 years old.
Footage from police’s body cams shows the graphic nature of the police interaction with Sonya, who called 911 after seeing what she thought was a peeping tom outside her window. Viewer discretion advised.
Sonya was boiling water on her stove when two officers, including Grayson, showed up at her home to respond to her call. Sonya opened the door for the officers as the three talked on her front porch before the two officers came inside.
What followed was a chaotic moment after Sonya walked toward the stove. As seen in the raw body camera footage, Grayson then raised his weapon and fired at Sonya’s head. She died at the scene, on her kitchen floor.
Our True Sunlight Podcast host Mandy Matney dove deeper into Sonya’s murder in a minisode back in July last year. You can listen to Mandy’s Premium NewsBreak here. Listener discretion advised.
NBC News reported earlier this month that the Massey family would receive a $10 million settlement following a unanimous agreement between attorneys and Sangamon County.
Civil rights attorney Ben Crump who represents the family, stated in a press release that “it is the hope of Sonya’s family that her death can bring change, and that the community will continue to say her name so no one ever needlessly loses their life again when all they are asking for is help.”
Former deputy Grayson was charged with first-degree murder, aggravated battery with a firearm and official misconduct. Illinois State Police also determined Grayson was not justified with his use of his firearm.
According to CNN, Grayson was discharged from the army in 2016 following a “serious offense.” He also pleaded guilty to two DUIs in 2015 and 2016, the AP reports.
Sonya’s death also influenced the creation of a citizen’s commission, The Massey Commission, within Sangamon County. The commission was created following public outcry after Sonya’s murder. According to the county’s website, the commission is “committed to leading a process for the community to listen, learn and act.”
In late September, Sonya’s cousins Shadia and Sontae Massey were named members of the commission, with Shadia being named a co-chair alongside JoAnn Johnson.
However, the Massey family (including Sonya’s mother Donna Massey) has publicly come out against the commission. The Springfield State Journal-Register reported earlier this month that the family allegedly asked Shadia and Sontae to step down, citing that they “did not have confidence in the commission.”
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