Barry and Honey Sherman – Unsolved Murders Timeline

The December 2017 deaths of Barry and Honey Sherman remain one of Canada’s most perplexing criminal mysteries. Found strangled in their Toronto mansion, the billionaire pharmaceutical magnate and his philanthropist wife became the center of a targeted double homicide investigation that has spanned multiple continents and nearly eight years without resolution.

Despite numerous leads, extensive forensic analysis, and a multimillion-dollar reward, police have yet to identify who killed the Apotex founder and his spouse. The case has attracted international attention not only for its brutal methodology but for the complex web of business interests, family dynamics, and investigative missteps that have characterized the search for answers.

What Happened to Barry and Honey Sherman?

• Method of killing: Ligature neck compression confirmed by autopsies, with belts fastened to a railing beside the indoor pool.
• Discovery: A realtor showing the property found the fully clothed bodies approximately 36 hours after death.
• Crime scene: No signs of forced entry and no significant DNA evidence left behind.
• Initial theory: Police first explored murder-suicide, suggesting Honey may have been the intended victim due to facial injuries.
• Reversal: Authorities ruled out suicide by January 26, 2018, confirming a targeted attack on both victims.
• Positioning: Faint garrote marks beneath the belts suggested initial strangulation occurred before the bodies were staged.
• Timeline: The murders likely occurred on December 13, 2017, based on security footage alignment and estimated time of death.

Who Are the Suspects in the Sherman Murders?

The Walking Man and Overseas Theories

In December 2021, Toronto Police released a 20-second security video showing a figure known publicly as the “walking man.” The individual appeared near the Sherman home on the snowy night of the murders, displaying an unusual gait while dressed in dark clothing. After reviewing extensive area footage, investigators identified this person as the only unaccounted individual in the vicinity at the relevant time. Despite hundreds of tips generated by the video release, the suspect remains unidentified, with speculation suggesting the possibility of an overseas contract killer who fled Canada shortly after the crime.

Persons of Interest and Investigation Focus

Authorities have named dozens of persons of interest throughout the investigation, though specific identities remain largely sealed to protect the probe. Early attention focused on individuals with access to the Sherman home via a realtor-installed lockbox, as this explained the lack of forced entry. By November 2020, police had identified at least one primary person of interest, though no arrests or charges have followed. The Sherman family retained private investigator Brian Greenspan shortly after the deaths, disputing initial police leaks and pushing for a thorough criminal investigation rather than the premature murder-suicide theory.

The absence of forced entry suggested the killer or killers possessed intimate knowledge of the property or had obtained keys. This detail shifted early focus toward those with legitimate access to the residence, including real estate professionals and extended family members, though no direct evidence has publicly confirmed family involvement in the homicides.

Is the Barry and Honey Sherman Case Solved?

Current Investigation Status

The case remains unsolved as of June 2025. In February 2025, the investigative team downsized significantly, with Det. Constable Dennis Yim shifting from full-time focus on the Sherman murders to splitting time with other homicide cases. Despite this reduction in dedicated resources, police maintain that the investigation continues actively, with new leads continuing to trickle in periodically.

The probe entered a “new phase” in late 2022 after tips failed to identify the walking man suspect. By October 2023, the investigation had expanded internationally to at least five countries, with detectives potentially tracing overseas money trails connected to the case. This international dimension suggests authorities are examining financial motives and possible foreign connections to the murders. PharmaVoice reported that this expansion marked a significant escalation in the scope of the inquiry.

Investigation Criticisms and Challenges

The TorontoStar has criticized the investigation as “badly bungled,” citing failures to promptly analyze video evidence and DNA, pursue incorrect leads, and the initial delay in ruling the deaths a homicide. These delays allowed the murder-suicide narrative to circulate publicly for weeks, potentially compromising the initial evidence collection. The lack of forced entry and minimal DNA evidence at the scene further complicated forensic efforts from the outset. Narcity documented these ongoing challenges and the slow pace of justice.

Who Were Barry and Honey Sherman?

Barry Sherman and the Apotex Empire

Barry Sherman founded Apotex Inc., which grew to become Canada’s largest generic pharmaceutical manufacturer. At the time of his death, his personal wealth was estimated between $5 and $10 billion, placing him among the country’s wealthiest individuals. Unlike retail pharmacy chains such as Jean Coutu Trois-Rivieres Locations, Apotex operated primarily in drug manufacturing and distribution, revolutionizing access to affordable medications across Canada. Sherman built the company through aggressive litigation and strategic patent challenges, earning both admiration within the pharmaceutical industry and numerous legal adversaries.

Honey Sherman’s Philanthropic Legacy

Honey Sherman, born to Holocaust survivors, married Barry in 1971 and dedicated decades to Toronto’s Jewish community and numerous charitable causes. Described as the “queen” of local philanthropy, she led fundraising efforts for organizations including the United Jewish Appeal and Baycrest Health Sciences. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau attended her funeral, reflecting the couple’s high-profile status. Her murder alongside her husband transformed a private family tragedy into one of Canada’s most scrutinized unsolved cases.

What Is the Timeline of the Sherman Murder Investigation?

1. December 13, 2017: Murders likely occur based on security footage and time of death estimates. Source
2. December 15, 2017: Realtor discovers bodies by indoor pool; belts fastened to railings with faint garrote marks visible. Source
3. December 15-16, 2017: Toronto Police initially probe murder-suicide theory; no suicide note found. Source
4. Late December 2017: Family disputes police theory, retains lawyer Brian Greenspan and private investigators.
5. January 26, 2018: Police rule out murder-suicide, confirm targeted double homicide.
6. November 2020: Police identify at least one person of interest.
7. December 14, 2021: Release of 20-second “walking man” security video generates hundreds of tips. Source
8. Late 2022: Investigation enters “new phase” following failure to identify video suspect.
9. October 2023: Police expand probe to five countries, examining overseas financial connections.
10. February 2025: Det. Constable Dennis Yim shifts to part-time focus on case.
11. June 2025: Case remains unsolved; AI analysis tools planned for implementation amid continuing investigation.

What Is Known for Certain in the Sherman Case?

What Was the Sherman Family’s Business and Philanthropic Impact?

Barry Sherman constructed Apotex into a pharmaceutical powerhouse by challenging brand-name drug patents and producing generic alternatives. This business model created significant wealth while generating legal conflicts with major pharmaceutical companies. The scale of this wealth—which far exceeded the annual earnings of typical Ontario workers, who might monitor What Is the Minimum Wage in Ontario—provided both the means for extensive philanthropy and potential motives tied to estate planning and corporate succession.

Honey Sherman directed much of this wealth toward community building, particularly within Toronto’s Jewish institutions. Her parents survived the Holocaust, and she applied her inherited values toward Holocaust education and healthcare philanthropy. The couple’s 46-year marriage produced four children, all of whom have maintained pressure on investigators while managing the family’s business and charitable legacy in the years following the murders.

What Have Investigators and Experts Said About the Case?

“Aching slow progress continues despite the international expansion and technological advances, with the investigation criticized as badly bungled due to initial delays and ignored evidence.”

— Kevin Donovan, Toronto Star reporter and author of The Billionaire Murders

“We are confident this was a targeted attack. The release of the video represents our commitment to finding answers, even years later.”

— Toronto Police Service statement regarding the 2021 video release

Summary of the Barry and Honey Sherman Investigation

The murders of Barry and Honey Sherman represent one of Canada’s most resource-intensive unsolved investigations, spanning nearly eight years, multiple countries, and evolving forensic technologies. While police have established that the couple died by ligature strangulation in a targeted attack, the identity of their killer remains unknown. The case continues to generate public interest and media scrutiny, with investigators implementing AI analysis tools in 2025 to examine accumulated evidence. As legal battles over sealed documents continue and the private reward remains unclaimed, the Sherman family maintains pressure for resolution while managing a pharmaceutical legacy that, unlike retail operations such as Jean Coutu Trois-Rivieres Locations, operates globally in generic drug manufacturing.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Sherman Murders