Toronto Billionaire Philanthropist And Wife Found Dead In Home
Canadian police are investigating the mysterious deaths of Barry Sherman, the billionaire philanthropist and founder of Canadian pharmaceutical firm Apotex, and his wife, Honey — and reports say police suspect a murder-suicide.
The two were found dead after police responded to a medical call just before noon at their home in an affluent section of northeast Toronto. Reports say the Shermans were found hanging from a railing near their indoor pool.
“The circumstances of their death appear suspicious and we are treating it that way,” Constable David Hopkinson said.
The Toronto Sun reported Saturday that Honey Sherman may have been killed elsewhere in the mansion — leading police to suspect a murder-suicide, since there was no sign of forced entry.
Sherman, 75, founded the privately held Apotex in 1974. Forbes has estimated his net worth at $3.2 billion.
Toronto Mayor John Tory said in a statement that he was “shocked and heartbroken” to learn of the deaths.
“I hope that investigation will be able to provide answers for all of us who are mourning this tremendous loss,” he said.
“I am beyond words right now,” Ontario health minister Eric Hoskins said in a tweet. “Wonderful human beings, incredible philanthropists, great leaders in health care. A very, very sad day.”
The couple were known as generous donors to Toronto Jewish organizations.—With Reuters
I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s award-winning journalism this Passover.
In this age of misinformation, our work is needed like never before. We report on the news that matters most to American Jews, driven by truth, not ideology.
At a time when newsrooms are closing or cutting back, the Forward has removed its paywall. That means for the first time in our 126-year history, Forward journalism is free to everyone, everywhere. With an ongoing war, rising antisemitism, and a flood of disinformation that may affect the upcoming election, we believe that free and open access to Jewish journalism is imperative.
Readers like you make it all possible. Right now, we’re in the middle of our Passover Pledge Drive and we still need 300 people to step up and make a gift to sustain our trustworthy, independent journalism.
Make a gift of any size and become a Forward member today. You’ll support our mission to tell the American Jewish story fully and fairly.
— Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO
Join our mission to tell the Jewish story fully and fairly.
Only 300 more gifts needed by April 30