Biodun.BBC: BREAKING: Canadian billionaire Sherman couple 'murdered'

Friday, January 26, 2018

BREAKING: Canadian billionaire Sherman couple 'murdered'

Honey and Barry Sherman at the annual United Jewish Appeal (UJA) fundraiser in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, August 24, 2010 — Image captionHoney and Barry Sherman were renowned for their charity fundraising

by Rochelle van Amber and Biodun Iginla, BBC News, Toronto

The Canadian billionaire couple found dead at their home in Toronto last month were murdered in a targeted killing, police say.

The bodies of Barry, 75, and Honey Sherman, 70, were found on 15 December.

Police said on Friday no-one had been charged, and declined to comment on any suspects.

Barry Sherman, one of Canada's richest men, and his wife were well-known for their philanthropy, and their sudden deaths stunned many in the country.

Media reports in the days after the couple's bodies were discovered quoted police sources saying they were investigating a murder-suicide theory.

"I don't know where that came from," Toronto police detective Susan Gomes told reporters, adding that it was one of several theories under consideration.

The new details of the case came on the same day that the pharmaceutical giant Apotex, which Barry Sherman founded, announced its CEO's resignation.

What was revealed on Friday?

Detective Gomes said the couple were last seen alive on the evening of 13 December and had no communication with family after that point.

She said police investigators had found no sign of forced entry on any access points to the home.

Two days later the pair were found fully clothed by the pool "hanging by belts in a semi-seated position on the pool deck," she added.

A police forensics photographer works outside the home of billionaire founder of Canadian pharmaceutical firm Apotex Inc., Barry Sherman and his wife Honey, who were found dead a day earlier in Toronto, Ontario, Canada on 16 December 2017. — Image captionThe Shermans were found dead inside their property by an estate agent

Ms Gomes said that police came to the conclusion they were dealing with a double homicide after "six weeks of evidence and its review". Police believe the couple were "targeted", she added.

"I'm not going to discuss the suspects, or any suspects," Ms Gomes said. "I'm not going to discuss any motives."

She said there was a "significant list of people" they were speaking to in the ongoing investigation.

Police have until now released few details in the case, confirming only that they both died from ligature neck compression, or strangulation with material.

What did the family say?

The family took issue with Canadian media reports of a possible murder-suicide, and later released a statement saying no-one close to the couple believed this.

"Our parents shared an enthusiasm for life and commitment to their family and community totally inconsistent with the rumours regrettably circulated in the media as to the circumstances surrounding their deaths," it read.

Image captionFlowers from mourners are seen outside the home of Barry and Honey Sherman

The family's lawyer has reportedly hired a number of private detectives to carry out a parallel investigation into the case.

Unnamed sources told CBC Toronto markings on their wrists showed evidence they had been bound at one point, but there was no rope or ties near to the bodies.

The premises of Apotex, which Mr Sherman founded, were searched as part of the police investigation, as well as two homes belonging to the couple.

Separately on Friday, Apotex - which sells generic medicines worldwide - said in a statement that its CEO, Jeremy Desai, had left the company to pursue other opportunities.

Who were the Shermans?

A gifted student, Barry Sherman entered the pharmaceutical trade through his uncle's Empire Laboratories, working for him while still at university before buying the company when his uncle died.

He went on to sell Empire, creating Apotex, the company that made him a billionaire and which now employs more than 10,000 people.

But he became embroiled in a family dispute, with his uncle's children seeking a stake in Apotex, arguing they had been cheated. A judge threw out their claim earlier this year.

He also faced an investigation as to whether he had improperly held a fundraiser for Justin Trudeau before he became prime minister.

Mrs Sherman was a board member for several hospitals, charities and Jewish organisations. The couple had four children and have given millions to charity.

The couple's public funeral took place on 21 December and was attended by many from Toronto's prominent social circles, as well as dignitaries like Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.