The Great Smoky Mountain Journal

Staff, Wire Reports

Posted: Sunday, January 21, 2018 07:28 PM

Canadian Billionaire, Wife Found Hanging In Their Mansion Friday

Canadian billionaire and philanthropist Barry Sherman and his wife were reportedly found hanging in their mansion Friday, and police said they were investigating their deaths as suspicious.

Sherman, the founder of Apotex, and his wife Honey were found dead at their luxury mansion in an upscale neighborhood north of Toronto just before noon on Friday.

The Toronto Sun reported first responders found the couple "hanging from a railing that surrounds a lap pool inside the house."

Police have not confirmed the report.

Const. David Hopkinson, who would not identify the bodies, said police were called to Sherman’s residence in response to a “medical complaint.” He called the deaths suspicious.

"The circumstances of their death appear suspicious and we are treating it that way," Hopkinson said at a news conference held outside the couple's home.

Ontario health minister Eric Hoskins identified Barry and Honey Sherman as the two discovered dead.

Hopkinson said the investigation was in its early stages and authorities “are inside investigating and taking apart the scene.”

The constable declined to say whether the bodies showed signs of trauma and did not provide details on the time or cause of death. However, he said the deaths were currently not being treated as homicides but added that more investigation would be necessary.

Inspector Bryan Bott of the Toronto Police Service told the Toronto Sun that "at this time we are not searching for any suspects."

Hoskins sent a tweet expressing shock at the death of his "dear friends," who he described as "wonderful human beings."

"I am beyond words right now," Hoskins wrote in his tweet. "Incredible philanthropists, great leaders in health care. A very, very sad day."

Barry Sherman was the chairman of generic drug maker Apotex, which he founded in 1974 with two employees. It went on to become the largest Canadian-owned pharmaceutical company.