Dr. Sneha Anne Philip Dies Near World Trade Center on 9/11 in New York City

On September 10, 2001, just a day before the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center, a young doctor named Dr. Sneha Anne Philip vanished in Lower Manhattan, New York City. Her disappearance remains one of the most perplexing mysteries linked to 9/11, sparking debates about whether she was a heroic victim of the attacks or if something more sinister happened to her before that tragic day.

While her name is now etched into the 9/11 Memorial, the true story of her final hours, the events leading up to her disappearance, and the struggles she faced in the months prior remain shrouded in uncertainty. This article explores her life, last known activities, the theories surrounding her disappearance, and the battle her family fought for her official recognition as a 9/11 victim.

Early Life and Medical Career

Dr. Sneha Anne Philip was born on October 7, 1969, in Kerala, India, to Dr. Philip K. Philip and Ansu Philip. She grew up with her two brothers, Ashwin and John, and later moved with her family to Albany, New York, in 1973.

From an early age, Sneha was known for her intelligence, artistic talents, and compassionate nature. She had a keen interest in literature, painting, and writing poetry, but eventually decided to pursue medicine.

She attended Johns Hopkins University, initially majoring in writing seminars, before deciding to follow in her father’s footsteps as a doctor. After graduating in 1991, she enrolled at the Chicago Medical School at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science.

During her time in medical school, Sneha met Ron Lieberman, a fellow medical student who was a year behind her. They quickly fell in love and became inseparable, bonding over their shared love for the arts and music.

In 1999, both Sneha and Ron completed their medical training and moved to New York City for their internships.

• Ron became an emergency room intern at Jacobi Medical Center in the Bronx.
• Sneha started her residency in internal medicine at Cabrini Medical Center in Manhattan.

In May 2000, the couple got married in a multicultural ceremony, blending Jewish and Indian Christian traditions. They moved into a one-bedroom apartment in Battery Park City, located at Rector Place, just two blocks from the World Trade Center.

Sneha’s career as a doctor was promising, but soon, personal and professional challenges began to emerge.

Struggles in Her Personal and Professional Life

By mid-2001, Sneha’s life had taken a downward turn.

Though she was described as a brilliant doctor, her superiors at Cabrini Medical Center reported that she had been frequently late to work, unfocused, and at times intoxicated on the job.

In May 2001, she was dismissed from Cabrini, with the hospital citing “tardiness and alcohol-related issues” as the reason. However, Sneha’s family disputes this, claiming that she was a whistleblower for sexual harassment at the hospital and was fired in retaliation.

After leaving Cabrini, Sneha found work at St. Vincent’s Medical Center in Staten Island. However, her new position also came with difficulties—she was required to attend substance abuse counseling but was later suspended for failing to comply.

Her marriage to Ron also faced challenges. According to police records, she would often spend nights out drinking, sometimes not returning home, which caused friction between the couple.

Sneha frequented LGBTQ+ bars in Manhattan and sometimes spent the night at friends’ apartments. Ron claimed that she wasn’t bisexual, but simply preferred those spaces because she didn’t want to be harassed by men.

Additionally, Sneha had been arrested earlier in 2001 for filing a false police report. She had accused a coworker of groping her, but the Manhattan DA’s office dismissed the charges and arrested Sneha instead. She spent a night in jail and was left deeply depressed by the experience.

With her career and personal life in turmoil, Sneha’s final days were filled with uncertainty.

The Last Known Movements of Sneha Anne Philip

On September 10, 2001, Sneha had the day off work.

That morning, she and Ron attended a court hearing for her pending criminal charges. Some reports claim they had an argument at the courthouse, but Ron strongly denies this.

After the court session, they returned home and had breakfast together. Ron then left for work at 11:00 AM, and this was the last time he saw Sneha.

From 2:00–4:00 PM, she chatted with her mother online, discussing:

• The Windows on the World restaurant at the top of the North Tower, where a friend’s wedding was set to take place.
• Her desire to start a family with Ron.
• Plans to go shopping later that day.

At around 5:15 PM, security cameras captured Sneha leaving her apartment. She was wearing a brown dress and sandals, her hair tied in a ponytail.

She visited Century 21, a discount department store near the World Trade Center, where she bought lingerie, pantyhose, bed linens, and three pairs of shoes.

This shopping trip was her last confirmed sighting.

Sneha never returned home that night. When Ron came home at midnight, he assumed she had stayed out late again.

September 11, 2001 – The Day Everything Changed

At 6:30 AM on September 11, 2001, Ron left for work, still believing Sneha was with a friend.

At 8:46 AM, American Airlines Flight 11 crashed into the North Tower of the World Trade Center, two blocks from Sneha’s apartment.

At 9:03 AM, a second plane struck the South Tower.

Ron, watching the news from work, panicked and called home repeatedly, but no one answered.

The North Tower collapsed at 10:28 AM—and Sneha was never seen again.

Theories About Her Disappearance

1. She Died Helping 9/11 Victims
   • Surveillance footage from 8:43 AM on September 11 shows a woman resembling Sneha entering her apartment building, then leaving minutes later.
   • She may have rushed to Ground Zero to help.
2. She Was Killed Before 9/11
   • Some investigators suggest she may have been murdered on the night of September 10.
   • However, no evidence of foul play was ever found.
3. She Used 9/11 to Disappear
   • A PostSecret postcard in 2012 read, “Everyone who knew me before 9/11 believes I’m dead.”
   • However, Sneha left behind all of her belongings, making this unlikely.

Official Recognition as a 9/11 Victim

In 2004, the medical examiner removed Sneha’s name from the 9/11 victims list, citing lack of evidence.

After a long legal battle, her family won an appeal in 2008, officially recognizing her as a victim of 9/11.

Her name now appears on the 9/11 Memorial at Ground Zero.

Conclusion

While the exact details of Sneha’s final hours remain unknown, she is widely believed to have died heroically on 9/11.

Her story is one of mystery, tragedy, and resilience, and to this day, she remains one of the most debated cases connected to 9/11.