What we know, and don't know, about the Sherman investigation

Questions continue to swirl about the deaths of Barry and Honey Sherman a week after their bodies were found in the basement of their Toronto mansion.

"I think everything in this case raises an eyebrow," saidformer Toronto homicide detectiveDave Perry."We're dealing with two victims that are very well known and extremely well respected internationally. That adds a whole new twist to it."

Police have released few details about the investigation, fuelling speculation as to the circumstances surrounding the deaths of the Toronto billionaire couple. This is what we knowso far.

What police have said

Torontopolice have said very little about the case. They confirmed in a news release that at 11:44 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 15, officers responded to a call at50 Old Colony Road, an upscaleaddress in the Toronto neighbourhood of North York.

Inside the mansion, areal estate agent had discovered the bodies ofBarry Sherman, 75,founder of the generic drug giantApotex, and hiswife, Honey, 70.

Accordingto the results of a post-mortemexamination, both died as a result of "ligature neck compression." While homicide investigators have taken the lead in the case,it has not been classified as a homicidebut, rather, a "suspiciousdeath investigation."

Police said there was no threat to public safety.Brandon Price, a detective with the Toronto homicide squad, said investigators found no signs of "forced entry" into the house, and police were not "currently seeking or looking for an outstanding suspect."

On Tuesday, Toronto police confirmed toCBCNewsthatthey "have no evidence to change what we have said."

What police haven't said

Although there have been some media reports about evidence, police have yet to confirmany specifics beyond cause of death.However,CBCNews has learned that theShermanswere found by the pool in their basement and that investigators have found nosecurity cameras inside or outside the home.

• Barry Sherman's orphaned cousins fight for cut of Apotex fortune
• Apotex says succession plan in place 5 years ago

Police will be doing a forensic analysis to look for possible signs of a struggle, marks indicating someone was dragged or bodily fluids like blood.

"You have to prove, working backwards from where they're found, how they got to where they are," said Perry.

Speculation

There are three main scenarios investigators willconsider: adouble suicide, a double homicide or a murder-suicide.

The Shermans both died by strangulation, but how that occurred is still unclear.

If they were both found hanged, it's unlikely it was a double suicide, said former Toronto homicide detective Mark Mandelson.

"I think if you canvassed 100 homicide detectives in North America, you'd be hardpressedto find very many of us whosaidthey ever dealtwith a double suicide where the mechanism of death was hanging," he said. "I find that sort of the least-palatable resolution."

That means the Shermans could be victims of murder, withan outside actor, or actors,responsible for their deaths.

But Perry said the fact that police are not looking forsuspects suggestsinvestigatorsbelieve whateverhappenedto theShermans was isolated to the house, between the twoof them, and no one else wasinvolved.

He said that while investigators must keep their minds wide open, from what policehave so far indicated, a double murder is one of the explanations that likely can be excluded.

"It's [a] very unusual, very unusual way to commit homicide," he said."Where you have this wonderful couple,standing membersof the community, aresomehow both dead from aligaturecompressionof the neck. It's bizarre."

Family, friendsrespond

Earlier this week, in response tomedia reports suggesting the couple's death may be theresult of a murder-suicide, members of the Sherman family lashed out.

In a statement,the Sherman children said theirparents' "enthusiasm for life and commitment to ... family and community" was "totally inconsistent" with such a scenario.

"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 couple's longtime friend FredWakstold CBC News he thought itwas "impossible" that their deaths could be the result of a murder-suicide.

Barry Sherman's business impact

7 years ago

Duration 2:00

The founder of Apotex, who was found dead in his Toronto home on Friday, had a major impact on Canadian life both through the pharmaceutical giant he created and for his philanthropic activities.

Honey Sherman was settofly tothe couple'swinter home nearMiami on Tuesdaywhile her husband wasto join later this week, along withWaks.

One daughter was to be married soon,Wakssaid, while another had a new baby just a few weeks ago.

The home where their bodies were found was registered to bothShermansand had recently been put on the market for approximately $7 million.

Legal issues

As a producer of more than 300 generic pharmaceutical products,Apotexhas been involved in a number of court cases, as drug companies have pushed back on its efforts to sell cheaper no-nameoptions.

Sherman alsofaced legal action from family members alleging they had been cut out of the company over the years. The Toronto billionaire's orphaned cousins, the Winter siblings, sued Sherman for a cut of hisApotexfortune in 2007. A judge dismissed the case in September as an abuse of process, but court records show the Winters filed an appeal a month later.

Funeral services for theShermanswere held Dec. 21in the Toronto suburb of Mississauga, Ont., and attendedby several thousand people, including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne and Toronto Mayor John Tory.

• 'Impossible' to believeShermansdied in murder-suicide, friend says
• Homicide investigators take lead in Sherman case