Investigation into double murder ends

Canada is intrigued to hear the outcome of a double murder from two years ago. The investigation into the deaths of a Canadian pharmaceutical billionaire couple by a private detective hired by the victims’ family has been completed, the chief homicide investigator of the Toronto police and the family said in a joint statement on Monday without revealing any of its findings.

Police reiterated that they are treating the case of Barry and Honey Sherman as a targeted double murder, Detective Sergeant Hank Idsinga said. He called on the public to come forward with tips as the investigation headed by police continues.

The deaths of Sherman, 75 and his wife, 70, stunned those in Canadian business, politics and philanthropy, and drew public condolences from prominent figures including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. The case is “very active” Idsinga said without disclosing any more details. The private investigator’s report is being transferred to police. The Shermans were found hanging by belts from a railing next to a swimming pool at their Toronto mansion.

Barry Sherman founded Apotex in 1974 and turned it into one of the largest generic drug makers, earning a reputation for using lawsuits to gain access to sell cheaper generic versions of lucrative branded medicines. The couple were known for their donations to hospitals, universities and Jewish organisations. The Sherman family criticised police handling of the deaths and hired a private investigator. Unconfirmed media reports in the immediate wake of the deaths said that police were treating the case as a murder-suicide.