Update 3:
Update 2:
Homicide detectives have now taken over the investigation into the deaths of two pharmaceutical billionaires that police have deemed “suspicious.”
A police source previously told CBC News that someone outside the Sherman family discovered the bodies, but police remain tight-lipped about the investigation.
Toronto homicide Det. Brandon Price told reporters outside the couple’s home on Saturday that police “cannot say 100 per cent with certainty” whether or not foul play was involved.
Price said there were no signs of forced entry into the home, and that police were not searching for any outstanding suspects.
(What? So homicide detectives are brought in but they’re not looking for any suspects, does this mean they are still saying Barry Sherman killed his wife and then himself? And if he didn’t- how did they end up both dead if the authorities are not looking for outstanding suspects?!
Update: When I did this story I didn’t even realize Barry Sherman (may he rest in peace) was DR. Barry Sherman (MIT). I also didn’t know that, as the CBC explained, he was “constantly battling ‘Big Pharma.'” All news to me.
Sadly, his death marks #82 in our unintended series.
Our hearts go out to the family and loved ones (who have made a public statement below shocked and outraged by what cops are saying) of Dr. Sherman and his wife, Honey.
–End of Update–
The bodies of Bernard Sherman, 75, also known as Barry, and his wife, Honey, 70, were found around noon on Friday in their mansion in the North York district of Toronto by the police, who arrived in answer to a 911 call. The couple are survived by their four children and grandchildren.
Reports say their bodies were “hanging side by side” next to their pool. Police are now investigating the deaths as a murder-suicide.
“Our parents shared an enthusiasm for life and commitment to their family and community totally inconsistent with the rumors regrettably circulated in the media as to the circumstances surrounding their deaths.
We are shocked and think it’s irresponsible that police sources have reportedly advised the media of a theory which neither their family, their friends nor their colleagues believe to be true.”2
Watch the video below where even the CBC, Canada’s NATIONAL news service, explains that he went to battle with big pharma… a lot.
The police in Toronto are currently working on the theory that Mr. Sherman killed his wife and then took his own life. As in he killed her, hung her body and then hanged himself at the pool’s edge. (He doesn’t look weak in pictures but from what I understand picking up and hanging a dead body is no easy business.) Again, the couple’s children, family, friends, and colleagues all disagree with this theory.
“The real estate agent who had been helping to sell the pair’s North York home found the bodies Friday morning.
There was no sign of forced entry to the home. There was no note left behind to explain what had happened…
The Shermans had just put their house on Old Colony Road up for sale for $6.9-million.
Sherman’s company Apotex released a statement late Friday confirming the deaths: ‘We’ve been informed of the tragic news that Barry and Honey Sherman have unexpectedly passed away. All of us at Apotex are deeply shocked and saddened by this news and our thoughts and prayers are with the family at this time.'”3
The very idea of a murder-suicide makes no sense given the fact that they loved their jobs, life, children, and were apparently looking forward to vacation. On Monday, Mrs. Sherman e-mailed friends in Florida in order to book social dates for their upcoming trip:
“Looking forward to getting together in Florida. I am coming south Monday, December 18 – Friday, January 12. Barry is coming south for Monday December 25 & going home with me Jan. 12. Please let me know your dates south asap so i can place in my calendar… Looking forward to hearing back asap. Xoxo Honey”4
On Saturday, Apotex posted a message on its website paying tribute to Mr. Sherman’s entrepreneurial and philanthropic efforts (Sherman’s net worth was recently estimated to be $4.77-billion):
“Dr. Sherman gave his life to the singular purpose of our organization – innovating for patient affordability. As employees, we are proud of his tremendous accomplishments, honoured to have known him, and vow to carry on with the Apotex purpose in his honour.”5
He and his wife donated widely to political and community causes, among them, hospitals, universities and the United Jewish Appeal. For her part, Honey was on the board of governors at York University, the Baycrest Foundation, and Mount Sinai Hospital as well as the former chair of the Jewish Foundation of Greater Toronto and former chair of the Holocaust Education Centre. And Mr. Sherman was a workhorse who devoted almost all of his time and energy to Apotex.
After their deaths were announced, their friends and colleagues came out of the woodwork with words of praise and condolences. Their loss is being felt and will continue to be felt.
We will update you as more information becomes available.
