Canadian Jewish billionaire couple were strangled to death, autopsies reveal

A Canadian billionaire Billionaire philanthropist Barry Sherman and his wife, Honey, were strangled to death, autopsies have revealed.

Toronto Police released a statement late Sunday that said the cause of death was “ligature neck compression.”

The investigation into the deaths of Barry Sherman, 75, the founder and chairman of the generic drug maker Apotex, and his wife, 70, has been turned over to Toronto homicide detectives, according to reports.

The bodies of Barry Sherman, one of Canada’s richest men and a prominent philanthropist, along with his wife Honey, were discovered in their mansion in Toronto.

Police reportedly had been considering the possibility that the deaths were a murder-suicide, something their family condemned in a statement issued Saturday.

“Our parents shared an enthusiasm for life and commitment to their family and community totally inconsistent with the rumours regrettably circulated in the media as to the circumstances surrounding their deaths,” the statement said.

“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”

Barry Sherman was the 15th richest Canadian, according to Canadian Business magazine, and  made his fortune as the founder and chairman of pharmaceutical giant Apotex, the seventh biggest generic drug maker in the world, and donated to Jewish and liberal causes.

The Toronto Star claim police are investigating the case as a murder-suicide. Forbes magazine estimated Mr Sherman’s personal net worth at £2.4bn.

Honey Sherman sat on the boards of several Jewish organisations, including Mount Sinai’s Women’s Auxiliary, the Simon Wiesenthal centre and the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tweeted his condolences to the couple’s family and friends, saying: “Sophie and I are saddened by news of the sudden passing of Barry and Honey Sherman. Our condolences to their family & friends, and to everyone touched by their vision & spirit.”

Sophie and I are saddened by news of the sudden passing of Barry and Honey Sherman. Our condolences to their family & friends, and to everyone touched by their vision & spirit.

— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) December 16, 2017