December 15th, 2017 began like any other day, but would soon become etched in Canadian history as the day the Shermans were found. A real estate agent, showing a multi-million dollar home, stumbled upon a scene of unimaginable horror – a tableau of death beside an indoor pool.
The Sherman’s mansion, a $6.9-million estate with a “For Sale” sign, was quickly surrounded by yellow police tape. The neighbourhood, accustomed to the unassuming generosity of Honey and Barry Sherman, was stunned. The couple, founders of Apotex Pharmaceuticals and worth an estimated $4.7 billion, were known for their warmth, not ostentation.
Inside, the scene was haunting. The Shermans were discovered hanging by belts attached to the pool’s railing, their bodies slumped and still. First responders declared them dead at the scene, listing the cause of death as “ligature neck compression” – a clinical term for strangulation. The initial assessment pointed towards a disturbing possibility: murder-suicide.
But skepticism arose almost immediately. Sources close to the investigation whispered of a homicide, contradicting the police’s early narrative. While authorities maintained they weren’t searching for suspects, the suggestion of a domestic tragedy felt wrong to those who knew the couple.
The deaths of such prominent figures ignited a media frenzy, yet the official story remained consistent: a potential murder-suicide. This narrative cast a pall over the funeral, attended by Prime Minister Trudeau, Premier Wynne, and Mayor Tory, alongside a crowd of 6,000 mourners.
Paul Godfrey, a close friend and the CEO of Postmedia Network Inc., was among the first to publicly challenge the police’s theory. Scheduled to have lunch with the Shermans in Florida the following week, he declared, “There is no way it was a murder-suicide or double suicide. It doesn’t make any sense.”
Godfrey’s disbelief stemmed from a deep understanding of the Shermans’ vibrant lives. They were on the cusp of new beginnings – a new home, thriving business, and numerous charitable endeavors. To suggest they would willingly end their lives defied all logic.
The family, equally convinced of foul play, launched their own investigation, spearheaded by former Toronto Police detective Tom Klatt and renowned lawyer Brian Greenspan. They commissioned a second autopsy, seeking independent verification of the findings.
Six weeks after the initial discovery, on January 26th, 2018, the police relented. “We believe now…that we have sufficient evidence to describe this as a double homicide,” announced Det.-Sgt. Sue Gomes, confirming the Shermans had been “targeted.”
The case shifted, but progress remained agonizingly slow. A grainy security camera video surfaced, depicting a “walking man” with a distinctive gait near the property days before the murders. The man was potentially linked to past thefts from an Apotex warehouse, fueling speculation about a possible connection.
Despite a $35-million reward offered by the family, and over 250 interviews conducted, police have yet to name a suspect or establish a motive. Theories abound, ranging from business rivalries and international intrigue to the fallout from Barry Sherman’s extensive legal battles.
Was it a professional hit orchestrated by a disgruntled party? A robbery gone wrong? Or something far more complex, hidden within the intricate web of the Shermans’ lives? Eight years later, the answers remain elusive, transforming a tragic event into a chilling, unsolved enigma.
