Two Years After Billionaires Murdered, Toronto Police Still Searching for Tips

Two years after the mysterious double murder of one of Canada’s richest couples, Barry and Honey Sherman, Toronto police seemingly have made little headway into their investigation.

Police held a press conference Monday, just days after it was reported that the couple’s bodies were posed like nearby statues, but instead of offering comment on the bizarre detail, asked the public for more tips.

The investigation has long generated intense criticism over the way it has been handled, particularly since police initially thought it was a murder-suicide.

On Monday, Toronto police inspector Hank Idsinga asked people who have already submitted tips to send them again—this time directly to police, rather than the private investigators hired by the Sherman family—for anything, no matter how small. The private investigation is over, but, as Idsinga mentioned several times Monday, the case remains “very active” for Toronto police and the family’s offer of a $10 million reward for information leading to an arrest stands.

It’s believed Barry Sherman, 75, and his wife Honey Sherman, 70, were killed two years ago, on December 13, 2017. Two days later, a realtor discovered their bodies with belts looped around their necks in the basement of their north Toronto mansion, which was listed for sale at the time. Honey had injuries on her face but Barry did not.

Barry Sherman was the founder and CEO of pharmaceutical giant Apotex, and was worth an estimated $4.7 billion. Honey Sherman was actively involved with many charities.

Toronto police inspector Hank Idsinga, who heads up the city’s homicide unit, said the biggest challenge for his team is the “sheer volume” of information. He also said this was a unique case because police were working in tandem with a private investigation team hired by the family. The private team has since finished its investigation.

Public updates on this case have been few and far between, leading to rumours and conjecture. There was rampant speculation that the Shermans were targeted by an international spy or a professional hitman. Both of these theories were shot down by Toronto Star journalist Kevin Donovan in his new book The Billionaire Murders. Donovan’s theory is that they were killed by someone they knew who was aware of the couple’s daily routines, and that money was the motive.

Donovan recently reported that the Shermans were found in poses eerily similar to a sculpture of a couple near the crime scene: both Barry and the male statue had one leg crossed over the other. Idsinga did not address how police are treating this creepy similarity.

The way that police have handled the case has come under intense scrutiny after several missteps. Police initially treated the case as a murder-suicide. They didn’t declare it a targeted double murder until about a month and a half after the Shermans were killed.

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