As the calendar flipped to 2021, the police investigation into the deaths of Canadian billionaire philanthropists Honey and Barry Sherman entered its fourth year.
The double homicide remains unsolved, but court documents recently made public following a court challenge by The Toronto Star reveal more details about the discovery of the couple's bodies in December 2017, and that their son Jonathontold police the Shermans had enemies.
Toronto police have said they have a number of people whomthey consider persons of interest and, in a statement to CBC News, insistthe case hasn't gone cold.
"The investigative team has had a high level of co-operation throughout this very active and ongoing investigation and investigative steps are being taken every single day,"according to Toronto Police spokesperson Connie Osborne.
"We are committed to bringing closure and justice to the family and the community."
- Toronto police have person of interest in deaths of Barry and Honey Sherman
- Family of Barry and Honey Sherman offers reward of up to $10M for information about killings
Barry Sherman, 75, the founder and chairman of the board of generic drug giant Apotex, and his 70-year-old wife, Honey, were found dead in the basement pool area of their home on Old Colony Rd. in Toronto's North York neighbourhoodon Dec. 15, 2017.
Their bodies sat side by side, legs outstretched with belts looped around their necks and attached to a pool railing.
The causes of death were determined to be ligature neck compressions,a type ofstrangulation.
What court documents reveal
It's been more than a year since the police provided a formal update about their investigation to the public, but more than 300 pages of recently released court documents help paint a picture of what's been going on behind the scenes.
The four court documents are known as information to obtain submissions, or ITOs, which police present to a court to secure search warrants.
The ITOs show police have obtained warrants to search the Shermans' phone, bank and health information, as well as computers found in their home and Barry Sherman's office and lab at Apotex.
The latest ITO, from February2018, reveals police were investigating possible financial motives for the double homicide.
In the weeks leading up to their deaths, Apotex lost a $500 millioncourt case involving a drug patent. It had also just laid off numerous staff, and more cuts were coming.
While the information piqued the interest of investigators, Barry Sherman's long-time business partner Jack Kay told themit likely had nothing to do with the couple's deaths.
"[Barry] would not be fazed by Apotex's financial situation,as Apotex was only one part of Sherman's holdings, and they have other money," Kay told investigators, according to the ITO.
It's been estimated the Shermanswere worth anywhere from $5 billion to $10 billion.
The ITOs also reveal police wanted to know where and how the Shermans were spending their money.
"Bank records would help track their movements," according to an affidavit sworn by investigators.
The ITOs also say "investigators do not have a detailed understandingof the couple, their friends or possible enemies."
WATCH | Sherman family offers $10 million reward for information in slain couple's case:
Family offers $10 million reward in Barry and Honey Sherman's case
Call sparked homicideprobe
The heavily redacted ITOs don't reveal much about what police discovered.
They do describe the frantic 911 call that sparked one of the highest-profile homicideinvestigations in Toronto's history.
The Sherman's real estate agent, Elise Stern, called police at 11:45 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 15, 2017, from the Shermans' mansion.
"They're dead," Stern frantically relayed to an emergency dispatcher.
Stern, along with realtor Weidong Zhao and two of his clients,made the grim discovery as they wrapped up a showing of the two-storey mansion, which was for sale at the time andlisted at $6.7 million.
The ITOs describe how the four moved through the house from the second floor down to the basement towardthe indoor pool area.
Stern said she opened the door there and turned on the lights. That's when she, Zhao and hisclients saw Honey and Barry Sherman's bodies,police recount.
"Stern says it was very weird. They were far away and their heads were elevated and hanging on the railing leading into the pool," police said.
She would later tell police she thought the couple was doing "some weird yoga thing" before realizing they were actually dead, according to the ITOs.
Zhao previously told CBC News he and his clients thought they had stumbled across some kind of bizarre, leftover Halloween displayor a sick joke. "Fake murders" is how he described the scene to CBC News in October2018.
Zhao said his clients, who were from mainland China, considered it a bad omen to see the bodies and left the home before police arrived.
The ITOs indicate the Shermans' housekeeper, their personal trainer and a furnace technician had also entered the house that morning, but none of them saw the couple's bodies in the pool area.
The housekeeper and trainer were first to arrive, around 8:25 a.m., and told police the couple's house alarm was off. They thought that was odd —it was the first time they had seen the alarm deactivated in the three years they had been working there.
Home builders last to see couple alive
The documents appear to bolster a working police theory that the Shermans were likely killed 36 hours before being discovered.
They suggest the last people to see the Shermans alive were a custom home builder, architect and subcontractor who met with the couple around 5 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2017, to go over some details of the new $20 million home they planned to build.
Honey Sherman left the meeting at about 5:30 p.m. and headed home. Barry Sherman stayed at the office for a few more hours to finish some work.
At 6:21 pm, Honey Sherman used her mobile phone to make a five-minute call to a friend. It appears to be the last time family or friends heard from her.
The court documents reveal Honey didn't answer at least 10 calls to her cellphone that started coming in on the morning of Dec. 14and continued through the 15th, when the couple was found.
A cleaner told police that Honey Sherman "never" went to the basement because she had "bad legs."
The ITOs suggest the deaths stunned family and friends for a number of reasons.The Shermans had been married for 40 years with no history of abuse or violence. Not only were they planning to build a new home together; they had planned trips to Japan and Israel, according to the ITOs. They were among Canada's most generous philanthropists, donating millions of dollars to charity.
However, eight days after their bodies were discovered, their son Jonathon Sherman told investigators during an interview that the couple had enemies.
'Complicated people,' said son
According to the ITOs, Jonathon Sherman told police his parents "were complicated people and that there are people out there who would have a grudge against them and would have a reason to hurt them."
The documents don't reveal who those individuals may have been.
Sherman also described his fatheras "brilliant but lacking in emotional and social intelligence" whereas his mother was "smart, abrasive, high-energy."
Publicly, the family made it clearthey weren't happy with the initial police investigation, accusing authorities of bungling it. They hired a team of highly respected retired police officers to launch a parallel probe, which ended in December 2019.
They also offered a $10 million reward for information that would lead to an arrest of their parents' killer or killers.
As for the home Barry and Honey Sherman shared for 32 years, the mansion was demolished in May 2019.
Ontario's land registry records show the land was transferred to the Shermans' estate and children on Aug. 25, 2020.
Two days later, it was sold.
FAQs
What really happened to the Shermans? ›
The bodies of Honey, 70, and Barry, 75, Sherman were first discovered on Dec. 15, 2017 at their mansion at 50 Old Colony Road. Police determined two days later that the couple had died from ligature neck compression.
What happened to the owner of Apotex? ›Sherman, who founded generic drugmaker Apotex Inc., and his wife, Honey, were found dead in their Toronto mansion on December 15, 2017. The two were hanging by belts from a railing that surrounds their indoor pool and were in a semi-seated position on the pool deck.
What happened to Barry and Honey Sherman's house? ›As for the home Barry and Honey Sherman shared for 32 years, the mansion was demolished in May 2019. Ontario's land registry records show the land was transferred to the Shermans' estate and children on Aug. 25, 2020. Two days later, it was sold.
Where did Barry Sherman live? ›Barry Sherman, 75, the founder and chairman of the board of generic drug giant Apotex, and his 70-year-old wife, Honey, were found dead in the basement pool area of their home on Old Colony Rd. in Toronto's North York neighbourhood two days later, on Dec. 15, 2017.
Who bought the Sherman House? ›The Toronto Star reports that a 28-year-old woman has purchased the property where Barry and Honey Sherman were murdered. The land in North York sold for a price of $4.25 million.
Did they tear down the Sherman House? ›Demolition okayed for Sherman mansion where billionaires were murdered | CTV News.
Has Apotex been sold? ›SK Capital buys generics producer Apotex, troubled since the murder of founder Barry Sherman. Unsettled since its founder Barry Sherman was discovered murdered along with his wife in 2017, Apotex has finally been sold. Private investment firm SK Capital has bought the Toronto-based, family-owned company.
Who is buying Apotex? ›A major Canadian pharmaceutical company is coming under new management. Apotex Pharmaceuticals Holdings Inc., founded by the late billionaire Barry Sherman in 1974, is being purchased by SK Capital Partners LP, a New York-based private investment firm.
Is Apotex still in business? ›...
Apotex.
| Apotex in Richmond Hill, ON | |
|---|---|
| Type | Private |
| Industry | Pharmaceutical |
| Founded | 1974 |
| Founder | Barry Sherman |
“Then I went in.” What he found inside the home was surprising. Despite a major police investigation in the case, and one by a private detective team working for the Sherman family, the man found furniture and cabinets intact, and photos, papers and files scattered around.
What is ligature neck compression? ›
Ligature neck compression refers to strangulation that occurs as the result of a rope or some other sort of ligature being wrapped around the neck, CP24 Crime Specialist Steve Ryan said. Police sources have told CTV News that the two bodies were found hanging inside the home.
How were the Shermans found? ›Their bodies were found by realtors touring prospective buyers through the home two days later. Through the Star's own investigation, Donovan said they learned that Barry Sherman's right leg was crossed over his left when his body was discovered.
Who is Jonathon Sherman's husband? ›Two days later, Jonathon and his husband, Fred Mercure, flew to Japan for a vacation. Jonathon says he believes Paulin had conversations with two banks regarding the mortgages. While in Japan, he said, he “started learning and trading” cryptocurrency and put the whole matter of the mortgages out of his mind.
How long were Barry and Honey Sherman married? ›According to the redacted documents, Honey's sister Mary told police that while the couple, who had been married for 40 years, would sometimes fight over Barry's long hours at the office, they “could not live without each other.” Police said she also told them that “everyone wanted to get near” them because of their ...
Where did the Sherman's live in Toronto? ›The Shermans' dead bodies were discovered in thier mansion at 50 Colony Road in 2017. Photo via Zolo. The couple was found by a realtor who was touring prospective homebuyers.
How much is the Sherman family worth? ›RELATED STORIES. In fact, at the time of Barry Sherman's death Forbes had estimated his net worth at $3.2 billion U.S. and the Toronto Star has reported that it could be much higher than that.
Why was the Sherman home demolished? ›The request to demolish the building was submitted on Feb. 5. A letter written by an agent for the family said the home contained “bad memories and a stigma attached due to the incident that took place.” The Shermans were found inside their home on Dec.
Did the Shermans owe money? ›#StarInvestigation: Barry Sherman owed $1 billion and was not going to pay, police documents reveal. thestar.com/news/gta/2022/… The Toronto Star has won court-approved access to police investigative documents in the 4-year-old Barry and Honey Sherman murder case.
Does Pfizer own Lipitor? ›According to data provided by IQVIA, Lipitor was the best-selling drug from 1992 through 2017, with nearly $95 billion in total sales. Originally developed by Warner-Lambert and approved in 1996, Pfizer got the drug in its $90 billion buyout of that company in 2000.
How much was Apotex sold for? ›Private investment firm SK Capital has bought the Toronto-based, family-owned company. Terms of the sale for Canada's largest producer of generic drugs were not disclosed. In 2019, when the company hired a financial advisor to review its options, Apotex was said to be worth up to $3 billion.
Why is Pfizer buying Arena Pharmaceuticals? ›
Arena develops novel therapies to treat various immuno-inflammatory ailments. With the acquisition, Pfizer will gain access to Arena's portfolio of various treatment candidates being developed for gastroenterology, dermatology and cardiology areas.
Who bought Nexgen Pharma? ›Represented Nexgen Pharma, Inc., a recognized leader specializing in the development and manufacture of solid dose, powder, semi-solid, and liquid Rx and OTC drugs in its acquisition by LGM Pharma.
Is Pfizer buying Arena Pharmaceuticals? ›NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Pfizer Inc. (NYSE: PFE) announced today the completion of its acquisition of Arena Pharmaceuticals, a clinical stage company developing innovative potential therapies for the treatment of several immuno-inflammatory diseases.
What drugs does Horizon Pharma make? ›Horizon's portfolio includes Tepezza (teprotumumab), Krystexxa (pegloticase), Actimmune (interferon gamma), Duexis (ibuprofen + famotidine), Pennsaid (diclofenac, 2% topical), Rayos/Lodotra (prednisone), Vimovo (naproxen/esomeprazole magnesium), Buphenyl (sodium phenylbutyrate), Procysbi (cysteamine bitartrate), and ...
What are the side effects of Apotex? ›- headache.
- dizziness.
- diarrhoea.
- nausea or vomiting.
- stomach pain.
- excessive gas in the stomach or bowel.
- indigestion.
- constipation.
Procter & Gamble manufactures, markets and/or distributes more than 26 drugs in the United States. Medications listed here may also be marketed under different names in different countries.
Who owns Lilly drug? ›...
Eli Lilly and Company.
| Type | Public |
|---|---|
| Total equity | US$2.699 billion (2019) |
| Owner | Lilly Endowment, 11.6% |
| Number of employees | 33,625 (2019) |
| Website | www.lilly.com |
The William Watts Sherman house—built in Newport, Rhode Island, 1874–76, anticipated the Aesthetic Movement that characterized Newport domestic work for the next decade.
What happens to your body during strangulation? ›Strangulation (strangling) is when something presses or squeezes on your neck. The squeezing may stop the blood supply going to your brain, or it may stop the air going to your lungs. It may make you lose consciousness (black out) and stop breathing.
What is a ligature in mental health? ›What Is A Ligature? A ligature point is anything that can be used to tie a cord, rope or other material for the purpose of hanging. An anti-ligature product is one that reduces the risk of self-harm through strangulation, by making it as difficult as possible to secure a cord or other material in place.
What injuries can strangulation cause? ›
Regardless of the type, strangulation may or may not be accompanied by visible symptoms of the injury. Depending on length of time without oxygen, the victim may experience a loss of consciousness, potentially permanent medical consequences (e.g., strokes, brain injuries), and even death.
Did Russians use Shermans? ›Soviet tank crews aboard their American-built M4 Shermans. The Soviets were supplied with around 7000 US tanks and a further 5200 British vehicles. This also provided huge numbers of other vehicles including railway locomotives, trucks and aircraft. The Soviet Union used the diesel powered M4A2 Sherman.
When did the US stop using the Sherman? ›| Medium Tank, M4 | |
|---|---|
| Place of origin | United States |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1942–1957 (United States) |
| Used by | United States, and many others (see Foreign variants and use) |
TANKS A LOT!
— the U.S. manufactured more than 45 Shermans a day for nearly three years. By the Numbers — Between 1942 and 1945, a mind-blowing 49,000 Shermans of various makes and models rolled off American assembly lines. That's equal to all German tanks manufactured over ten years beginning in 1935.
#StarInvestigation: Barry Sherman owed $1 billion and was not going to pay, police documents reveal. thestar.com/news/gta/2022/… The Toronto Star has won court-approved access to police investigative documents in the 4-year-old Barry and Honey Sherman murder case.
Who inherited the Shermans money? ›Honey Sherman left no will but her husband had two. The money they left behind, the estate documents say, is to be divided equally among the couple's four children: Lauren, Jonathon, Alexandra and Kaelen.
How were the Shermans found? ›The couple's bodies were discovered by real estate agents showing off the Shermans' home on 15 December. Both of their necks had been tied with leather belts to a metal railing that surrounded the pool.
How much were the Shermans worth? ›...
Barry Sherman.
| Bernard Sherman CM | |
|---|---|
| Family | Louis Lloyd Winter (uncle) |
Apotex, a maker of generic drugs, was founded by Canadian billionaire Barry Sherman, who controlled the company until his highly publicized death in his home, alongside his wife Honey, in 2017.
Who is Jonathan Sherman? ›Jonathan Sherman* is a partner in the Securities Group at Cassels, serving as Co-Chair of the Cannabis Group and as a member of the firm's Executive Committee.
Did Barry Sherman have a will? ›
The confidant provided this information to the Toronto police a few weeks after the Sherman bodies were found. The copies of Barry's two wills are dated May 13, 2005.
Who is Jonathon Sherman's husband? ›Two days later, Jonathon and his husband, Fred Mercure, flew to Japan for a vacation. Jonathon says he believes Paulin had conversations with two banks regarding the mortgages. While in Japan, he said, he “started learning and trading” cryptocurrency and put the whole matter of the mortgages out of his mind.
What is Apotex worth? ›| Apotex in Richmond Hill, ON | |
|---|---|
| Key people | Jeff Watson, President & CEO |
| Products | Generic drugs |
| Revenue | CA$3 billion in 2018 (in worldwide sales) |
| Number of employees | 8,000 |
Soviet tank crews aboard their American-built M4 Shermans. The Soviets were supplied with around 7000 US tanks and a further 5200 British vehicles. This also provided huge numbers of other vehicles including railway locomotives, trucks and aircraft. The Soviet Union used the diesel powered M4A2 Sherman.
When did the US stop using the Sherman? ›| Medium Tank, M4 | |
|---|---|
| Place of origin | United States |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1942–1957 (United States) |
| Used by | United States, and many others (see Foreign variants and use) |
TANKS A LOT!
— the U.S. manufactured more than 45 Shermans a day for nearly three years. By the Numbers — Between 1942 and 1945, a mind-blowing 49,000 Shermans of various makes and models rolled off American assembly lines. That's equal to all German tanks manufactured over ten years beginning in 1935.
As the film makes clear, a Sherman tank was a lightweight in comparison to a Tiger. The Sherman weighed 33 tonnes and had a 75mm gun, compared to the Tiger's 54 tonnes and a 88mm gun. A Tiger also had 3.9 inch thick armour, so shells from a Sherman literally bounced off it.
Did the British use Shermans? ›The British Empire received 17,184 Sherman tanks from the USA under Lend-Lease, roughly 78% of all American Shermans provided worldwide under this program. This includes Sherman tanks used by all members of the British Empire and those Allies who were equipped by the UK, such as the Polish Armed Forces in the West.
How many Shermans did the Soviets use? ›According to Soviet documents a total of 3,664 M4A2 Sherman tanks were accepted into service by the Soviet Union between 1942 and 1945.