Canadian police probe 'suspicious' deaths of billionaire couple

By Chris Helgren

 

One of two bodies is removed from the home of billionaire founder of Canadian pharmaceutical firm Apotex Inc., Barry Sherman and his wife Honey, who were found dead under circumstances that police described as "suspicious" in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, December 15, 2017. REUTERS/Chris Helgren

 

TORONTO (Reuters) - Canadian police said they were investigating the mysterious deaths of Barry Sherman, founder of Canadian pharmaceutical firm Apotex Inc, and his wife, Honey, one of the nation's wealthiest couples whose bodies were found in their mansion on Friday.

 

Police said they learned of the deaths after responding to a midday (1700 GMT) medical call at the Sherman's home in an affluent section of northeast Toronto. Two bodies covered in blankets were removed from the home and loaded into an unmarked van on Friday evening.

 

"The circumstances of their death appear suspicious and we are treating it that way," said Constable David Hopkinson. Homicide detectives later told reporters gathered outside the home that there were no signs of forced entry.

 

Their neighbours, business associates and some of Canada's most powerful politicians said they were saddened by the deaths.

 

"Our condolences to their family & friends, and to everyone touched by their vision & spirit," Prime Minister Justin Trudeau wrote on Twitter.

 

Toronto Mayor John Tory said in statement he was "shocked and heartbroken" to learn of the deaths, noting that the couple had made extensive contributions to the city.

 

"Toronto Police are investigating, and I hope that investigation will be able to provide answers for all of us who are mourning this tremendous loss," Tory said.

 

The Shermans recently listed their home for sale for nearly C$7 million (£4 million). A real estate agent discovered the bodies in the basement while preparing for an open house, the Toronto Globe and Mail reported, citing a relative.

 

Sherman, 75, founded privately held Apotex in 1974, growing it by introducing large numbers of low-cost generic drugs that took market share from branded pharmaceuticals. He stepped down as chief executive in 2012 but remained executive chairman.

 

Forbes has estimated Sherman's fortune at $3.2 billion.

 

Apotex is the world's No. 7 generic drugmaker with 11,000 employees and annual sales of more than C$2 billion in more than 45 countries, according to its website.

 

The couple was known for their philanthropy, giving tens of millions of dollars to hospitals, universities and Jewish organizations, CBC reported.

 

"They were extremely successful in business, but also very, very giving people," former Ontario Premier Bob Rae told CBC. "It's going to be a very, very big loss."

 

The Globe and Mail reported in February that Lobbying Commissioner Karen Shepherd was investigating a complaint about a 2015 political fundraiser that Trudeau had attended.

 

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2017-12-16

No, there was stiff opposition to it.....

12 hours ago, car720 said:

I wonder if these were the folks that made the Canadian viagra.

Pfizer makes Canadian Viagra but Canada has the highest generic drug prices in the world so I know they made lots and lots of money.  

I read an article that said they were found side by side hanging  by the pool as the realitor was showing the house.

 

And over here we have a very nice pool lets not go out there since the owners are hanging around.

 

 

Pure speculation. Double suicide one of them terminally ill.

It may  have been someone they knew and trusted. RIP

Hope the cameras got pictures of the person or people who did this.

Geezer

What a mysterious story.

Double suicide , murder suicide, or double murder.

So if was a double suicide given this couple's resources and knowledge of medications, why something violent like hanging and why not more gentle DRUGS, eh? 

Edited December 17, 20178 yr by Jingthing

Toronto homicide police take lead in probe of billionaires' deaths

By Anna Mehler Paperny

 

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 under circumstances that police described as "suspicious," in Toronto, Ontario, Canada December 16, 2017. REUTERS/Chris Helgren

 

TORONTO (Reuters) - Canadian homicide detectives on Sunday took the lead in investigating the mysterious deaths of pharmaceuticals billionaire Barry Sherman and his wife, Honey, a day after relatives complained about the handling of the case.

 

The development does not mean the deaths are being treated as homicides, Toronto Police Service spokeswoman Michelle Flannery told Reuters.

 

The couple, who were celebrated for their philanthropy and financial success, were found on Friday hanging from a railing by the side of their pool by a real estate agent involved with selling their house in Toronto, Canadian media reported.

 

Police have said there was no sign of forced entry to the home, which is listed for sale at C$6.9 million ($5.4 million).

 

Autopsies conducted on Saturday and Sunday determined that Barry Sherman, 75, and his wife, 70, died from ligature neck compression, police said in a statement. They asked anybody with information on the case to contact authorities.

 

Flannery would not say whether police were looking for a suspect. Police had said on Saturday they had nobody in custody and were not seeking any suspects.

 

The case has dominated the Canadian news, with employees, friends and leading politicians expressing shock.

 

The Globe and Mail, Toronto Sun and Toronto Star reported Saturday that police were operating on the theory that Barry Sherman had killed his wife and hanged himself.

 

A statement issued late Saturday on behalf of the Shermans' four children criticized that idea.

 

"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," the statement reads.

 

"We urge the Toronto Police Service to conduct a thorough, intensive and objective criminal investigation," it said.

 

Barry Sherman founded Apotex Inc in 1974 and built it into one of the world's biggest generic drug makers, making him one of Canada's richest people.

 

(Reporting by Anna Mehler Paperny in Toronto; Editing by Jim Finkle, Peter Cooney and Paul Simao)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2017-12-18

The police are not releasing much information.

 

 

42 minutes ago, Colabamumbai said:

That's because TPD generally operates on the principle that the less anybody knows the less can be criticized . 

 

 

New York Times is more informative than TO

Edited December 18, 20178 yr by silent

No sign of forced entry.

Could be a lot of reasons.

Someone they knew that had a key.

Someone they just let in the door.

If suicide, one or two, why no note?!?

5 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

No sign of forced entry.

Could be a lot of reasons.

Someone they knew that had a key.

Someone they just let in the door.

If suicide, one or two, why no note?!?

Good write up in NY Times about him apparently doing a tell all on pharma industry in autobiography and them planning to leave on vacation .... today. 

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/17/world/canada/barry-sherman-death.html

2 hours ago, silent said:

Good write up in NY Times about him apparently doing a tell all on pharma industry in autobiography and them planning to leave on vacation .... today. 

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/17/world/canada/barry-sherman-death.html

Real estate agent found the bodies, maybe had a key. Im a born bred Toronto boy.

New York Times is more informative than TO

Yes it is and it's hard to believe it was suicide even more after reading that. But how the hell did a murderer manage to do that? If they don't solve it this may one of the mysteries of the ages.

Sent from my Lenovo A7020a48 using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

Have the first set of police screwed up by announcing they were not looking for anybody else in connection with the deaths? Have opportunities been missed? Will we ever know?

Apparently, they were strangled. 

Of course RIP to the deceased !

 

And with full hope and trust, that similar zealous deployment would be conducted,  should it be one day the death of Mr and Mrs Average-Joe Smith !

6 hours ago, Jingthing said:

Yes it is and it's hard to believe it was suicide even more after reading that. But how the hell did a murderer manage to do that? If they don't solve it this may one of the mysteries of the ages.

Sent from my Lenovo A7020a48 using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app
 

Because he may have killed her, elsewhere in the house, then made it look like a double suicide. That was the indication given by police to the media before family lawyers jumped in. Then all the media stories were edited with that part taken out. This wasn't the nicest guy whatever his celebrity friends are quoted as saying now. 

 

https://www.vice.com/en_ca/article/bjyx54/what-we-know-about-the-billionaire-couple-found-dead-in-their-mansion

 

"The Toronto Star, and other media outlets, have referred to the deaths as a “possible murder-suicide” but friends and family of the Shermans stated that this was “impossible.” The family, who released a statement on Saturday, called the Globe and Mail’s police sources who speculated about this “irresponsible.”

 

Edited December 18, 20178 yr by pegman

12 hours ago, Jingthing said:

Yes it is and it's hard to believe it was suicide even more after reading that. But how the hell did a murderer manage to do that? If they don't solve it this may one of the mysteries of the ages.

Sent from my Lenovo A7020a48 using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app
 

A key or someone trusted?

12 hours ago, Briggsy said:

Have the first set of police screwed up by announcing they were not looking for anybody else in connection with the deaths? Have opportunities been missed? Will we ever know?

Oh I have a feeling you're right and this one ends up being as much of a mystery as whatever happened to Hoffa. So far it sounds like just another suicide by hanging in the multi-cultural Land of Toronto, or should that be smiling faces. 

I have a feeling that either, a relative, or a worker who was employed by the couple

or a person they knew killed them both. Time will tell, as it was some one who got into

their house without using a key.

I doubt that it was suicide. just my opinion

Geezer

8 hours ago, pegman said:

Because he may have killed her, elsewhere in the house, then made it look like a double suicide. That was the indication given by police to the media before family lawyers jumped in. Then all the media stories were edited with that part taken out. This wasn't the nicest guy whatever his celebrity friends are quoted as saying now. 

 

https://www.vice.com/en_ca/article/bjyx54/what-we-know-about-the-billionaire-couple-found-dead-in-their-mansion

 

"The Toronto Star, and other media outlets, have referred to the deaths as a “possible murder-suicide” but friends and family of the Shermans stated that this was “impossible.” The family, who released a statement on Saturday, called the Globe and Mail’s police sources who speculated about this “irresponsible.”

 

Just read vice article. Removed original post.

Edited December 19, 20178 yr by ilostmypassword

So they were selling the house? Why?

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On 12/16/2017 at 5:03 AM, car720 said:

I wonder if these were the folks that made the Canadian viagra.

There is no such thing as Canadian viagra. North American product is typically sourced from Pfizer's US facility which in turn sources from its contract manufacturers typically located in India.  Generic  versions sold in Canada have their active ingredients typically sourced in India.  A majority of  active ingredients used in drugs sold in the EU and North America are sourced from either China or India .

1 minute ago, geriatrickid said:

There is no such thing as Canadian viagra. North American product is typically sourced from Pfizer's US facility which in turn sources from its contract manufacturers typically located in India.  Generic  versions sold in Canada have their active ingredients typically sourced in India.  A majority of  active ingredients used in drugs sold in the EU and North America are sourced from either China or India .

Maybe he was referring to poutine?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poutine

On 2017-12-16 at 5:55 PM, Ulic said:

Pfizer makes Canadian Viagra but Canada has the highest generic drug prices in the world so I know they made lots and lots of money.  

http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2016/11/17/prescription-drug-prices_n_13057392.html

8 hours ago, pegman said:

Because he may have killed her, elsewhere in the house, then made it look like a double suicide. That was the indication given by police to the media before family lawyers jumped in. Then all the media stories were edited with that part taken out. This wasn't the nicest guy whatever his celebrity friends are quoted as saying now. 

 

https://www.vice.com/en_ca/article/bjyx54/what-we-know-about-the-billionaire-couple-found-dead-in-their-mansion

 

"The Toronto Star, and other media outlets, have referred to the deaths as a “possible murder-suicide” but friends and family of the Shermans stated that this was “impossible.” The family, who released a statement on Saturday, called the Globe and Mail’s police sources who speculated about this “irresponsible.”

 

Unsubstantiated rumor.  Dr. Sherman was a brilliant man who graduated from MIT with a doctorate in engineering. He was not a slob, or a bully and was dedicated to his wife. I met them and from what I saw, the wife was the boss. The man was considered vital to Canadian national security because his generic drugs meant that Canadians had access to affordable drugs. Apotex had been the leader in bringing low cost generics to market and there is no doubt that the company saved millions of lives in so doing.

 

The allegation of murder suicide was speculation made before there was even an autopsy. The deaths are now being investigated by the homicide unit. It is quite possible that this was a robbery gone bad, or a disgruntled employee or even a random killing. No one knows because the investigation  hasn't even really begun.

There is a strong possibility that a a bitter mooching relative may be involved, but at this stage, there is nothing to go on.

 

The house was being sold because the couple was elderly and they were moving to a different home that had already been purchased. The children no longer lived with them. It's called "downsizing" .

 

For a wealthy guy, he kept a low profile. He wasn't a fan of fancy restaurants or expensive suits or cars. His wife was not smothered in furs and weighted  down with diamonds and gold.  He didn't have an expensive  art collection or gold bars in his home. In large part his wealth was the company itself.

 

This isn't Thailand where there are some Burmese to  stick the crime on. Nor is it a TV show where the crime will be solved within  the hour. It's Toronto where the police are none too bright and have a hard time solving murders. The solution rate  hovers between 45% and 50% with the murders solved typically being domestic  because the culprit hangs around. The conviction rate on all  homicides is lower because the cops have a hard time putting the evidence together when the guilty party doesn't come right out and say, I did it.

 

I'm trying to imagine the psychology of a double murder like that where there aren't any signs of struggle before the hangings. I'm finding it's not that hard to imagine. For example the murderer or murderers (that somehow had access to the house, that's not impossible) just sticking a gun to their heads and forcing them into the ropes. Even a young fit person may be in shock with a gun to the head. Yeah, you could try to resist or run but that would mean dead right now. Follow the orders, at least you're still alive for a little while longer. It's a little harder to imagine with two victims and one killer but in this case they weren't young people.

Edited December 19, 20178 yr by Jingthing

1 hour ago, geriatrickid said:

Unsubstantiated rumor.  Dr. Sherman was a brilliant man who graduated from MIT with a doctorate in engineering. He was not a slob, or a bully and was dedicated to his wife. I met them and from what I saw, the wife was the boss. The man was considered vital to Canadian national security because his generic drugs meant that Canadians had access to affordable drugs. Apotex had been the leader in bringing low cost generics to market and there is no doubt that the company saved millions of lives in so doing.

 

The allegation of murder suicide was speculation made before there was even an autopsy. The deaths are now being investigated by the homicide unit. It is quite possible that this was a robbery gone bad, or a disgruntled employee or even a random killing. No one knows because the investigation  hasn't even really begun.

There is a strong possibility that a a bitter mooching relative may be involved, but at this stage, there is nothing to go on.

 

The house was being sold because the couple was elderly and they were moving to a different home that had already been purchased. The children no longer lived with them. It's called "downsizing" .

 

For a wealthy guy, he kept a low profile. He wasn't a fan of fancy restaurants or expensive suits or cars. His wife was not smothered in furs and weighted  down with diamonds and gold.  He didn't have an expensive  art collection or gold bars in his home. In large part his wealth was the company itself.

 

This isn't Thailand where there are some Burmese to  stick the crime on. Nor is it a TV show where the crime will be solved within  the hour. It's Toronto where the police are none too bright and have a hard time solving murders. The solution rate  hovers between 45% and 50% with the murders solved typically being domestic  because the culprit hangs around. The conviction rate on all  homicides is lower because the cops have a hard time putting the evidence together when the guilty party doesn't come right out and say, I did it.

 

These aren't Soi9 Keystone Cops. If the Toronto Police Service, who controlled the crime scene and had their Homicide Dept involved from the get go, told the media the preliminary indication was murder sûicide that ain't a rumour. Better to believe Baba Frum's silver spoon feed, Tory appointed senator,  daughter's "feelings" on the matter? She is as reliable as her treasonous brother Pasty Davy. 

 

Barry was a skinflint with a bad temper. Honey was reported to be bombastic. It's easy to see a scenario where she kept nagging about spending more and more cash on the new house and he lost it. Hangs her from the railing then does the same to himself. That makes it look like they decided to do it together and the kids don't see the old man in a bad light.

 

As for the solve rate of murders in Toronto that has gone up in recent years. The reason is an increase in gangbangérs doing each other in and leaving few clues. Maybe go do a walk around. Jane & Finch and send us a report on that.

1 hour ago, geriatrickid said:

Unsubstantiated rumor.  Dr. Sherman was a brilliant man who graduated from MIT with a doctorate in engineering. He was not a slob, or a bully and was dedicated to his wife. I met them and from what I saw, the wife was the boss. The man was considered vital to Canadian national security because his generic drugs meant that Canadians had access to affordable drugs. Apotex had been the leader in bringing low cost generics to market and there is no doubt that the company saved millions of lives in so doing.

 

The allegation of murder suicide was speculation made before there was even an autopsy. The deaths are now being investigated by the homicide unit. It is quite possible that this was a robbery gone bad, or a disgruntled employee or even a random killing. No one knows because the investigation  hasn't even really begun.

There is a strong possibility that a a bitter mooching relative may be involved, but at this stage, there is nothing to go on.

 

The house was being sold because the couple was elderly and they were moving to a different home that had already been purchased. The children no longer lived with them. It's called "downsizing" .

 

For a wealthy guy, he kept a low profile. He wasn't a fan of fancy restaurants or expensive suits or cars. His wife was not smothered in furs and weighted  down with diamonds and gold.  He didn't have an expensive  art collection or gold bars in his home. In large part his wealth was the company itself.

 

This isn't Thailand where there are some Burmese to  stick the crime on. Nor is it a TV show where the crime will be solved within  the hour. It's Toronto where the police are none too bright and have a hard time solving murders. The solution rate  hovers between 45% and 50% with the murders solved typically being domestic  because the culprit hangs around. The conviction rate on all  homicides is lower because the cops have a hard time putting the evidence together when the guilty party doesn't come right out and say, I did it.

 

I have to call you on the price of generics in Canada too. They are amoung the world's highest priced. No doubt thanks to suspected murderer Barry Sherman.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/health/drug-prices-generic-1.3441080

Let them investigate and follow the truth whatever it is, but the theory that he murdered his wife because she was nagging about buying a better house doesn't seem likely. More generally, a threatened divorce might be a possibility. That's more like the kind of thing that can lead to murder, which is why I was wondering about the house sale, often linked to divorces. 

 

They obviously weren't saints but their characters are not on trial. It seems they did both good and bad things in life like pretty much everyone, but in their case on a big public stage. 

Edited December 19, 20178 yr by Jingthing