Reward for Tips on Unsolved Murders of Billionaire Toronto Couple Upped to $35M

Barry and Honey Sherman in a handout photo. (The Canadian Press/HO-United Jewish Appeal Mandatory Credit)

Five years after the mysterious, unsolved double homicide of billionaire Toronto couple Barry and Honey Sherman, their son has added $25 million to the original $10 million offered for information leading to his parents’ killer.

“Closure will not be possible until those responsible for this evil act are brought to justice,” said Jonathon Sherman in a Dec. 12 statement to CBC News.

On Dec. 15, 2017, the bodies of Barry Sherman, 75, and his wife Honey, 70, who were among Canada’s wealthiest couples, were found by a realtor touring their mansion that was listed for sale at the time. They were found strangled and strangely posed in their mansion at 50 Colony Road. Active in the Toronto Jewish community, they were well-known philanthropists who gave millions of dollars to hospitals, universities, and Jewish organizations.

The Shermans were last seen alive on the evening of Dec. 13, 2017. The murders were believed to have taken place shortly after. Police said that there was no sign of forced entry and little DNA evidence, and that both died of “ligature neck compression.”

To date, police have not arrested any suspects. One year ago, Toronto Police released a short, 22-second video clip of a suspect who was captured on video walking on the sidewalk near the Shermans’ mansion on Dec. 13, 2017.

Police have reportedly conducted at least 250 witness interviews, received 1,255 tips from the public, and obtained 41 warrants since the start of the investigation.

Barry Sherman, with a net worth estimated at between $5 billion and $10 billion, was the founder of pharmaceutical giant Apotex, the largest manufacturer of generic drugs in Canada, and the only company that produces hydroxychloroquine, the controversial drug some medical experts used to treat COVID-19. During the pandemic, some countries added the product to their treatment protocols, according to a statement made by Apotex on March 20, 2020.

A for sale sign stands outside the home of Barry Sherman, billionaire founder of Canadian pharmaceutical firm Apotex Inc., and his wife, Honey, who were discovered dead under circumstances that police described as "suspicious" in Toronto on Dec. 15, 2017. (REUTERS/Chris Helgren)

Last year, the Shermans’ son hired retired Toronto police inspector and former homicide squad leader Doug Grady to investigate the couple’s murder.

The Shermans have four surviving children, three daughters and one son.

Their daughter Alex Krawczyk issued a statement on Dec. 8 urging anyone with information on the deaths to come forward.

“My loss is immeasurable. My children have lost their grandparents. We miss their guidance, love, and wisdom,” she said.

“So far there has been no justice for them and no closure for me and my family,” she said, urging anyone with information to contact Toronto Police.

At the time of Barry Sherman’s death, his company was under investigation for allegedly violating lobbying laws when he hosted a party fundraiser at his home for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s Liberal Party.

“In light of Dr. Sherman’s passing, the purpose of the investigation to ensure his compliance with the (lobbying) code can no longer be fulfilled,” Commissioner of Lobbying Nancy Belanger said in a letter dated Jan. 24, 2018, according to CBC News.