Canadian billionaire and wife were murdered, police say

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By BNO NEWS

Canadian pharmaceutical billionaire Barry Sherman and his wife, who were found dead at their home in Toronto last month, were the victims of a double murder, police said on Friday. No suspects have been arrested so far.

Barry Sherman, 75, and Honey Sherman, 70, were found dead at their mansion in Toronto on the morning of December 15, though investigators believe they were likely killed on the evening of December 13. Their bodies were discovered by a real estate agent.

The Toronto Police Service confirmed on Friday that their deaths were now being treated as a double murder. Other possibilities, such as a double suicide or a murder-suicide as was initially suspected, were ruled out during the course of the investigation.

Detective Sergeant Susan Gomes, the officer in charge of the investigation, said at a press conference on Friday that the couple was last seen alive during the evening of December 13. There were no signs of forced entry into the home, which is located in Toronto’s North York district.

“Honey and Barry Sherman were found deceased in the lower level pool area, hanging by belts from a poolside railing in a semi-seated position on the pool deck,” Gomes said. The cause of death was determined to be ligature neck compression, or strangulation.

Police said the couple is believed to have been targeted, but specific details about a possible motive were not immediately released. No arrests were made as of Friday and investigators continue to examine evidence, which includes about 2,000 hours of surveillance footage and nearly 150 items.

In a statement, the Sherman family said Friday’s disclosure was consistent with their own autopsy and investigation. “The family continues to support the Toronto Police Service in their efforts to seek justice for their parents and pursue those responsible for these unspeakable crimes,” they said.

Barry Sherman used his mother’s life savings to buy his uncle’s drug company in 1974, according to Forbes. Starting with two employees, he made Apotex one of Canada’s largest pharmaceutical companies, employing more than 10,000 people and selling 300 generic drugs in more than 115 countries.

Barry Sherman had an estimated net worth of $3.2 billion at the time of his death, making him one of the richest people in Canada. He had been listed on the Forbes list of the World’s Billionaires for more than 15 years.

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