CANADA Canada - Billionaire Couple Barry & Honey Sherman Murdered at Home, Toronto, 15 Dec 2017 #24

[Bekind89]

It is different. I think many US sleuthers get frustrated because there isn't more info released. It is just a different country, different rules. Good and bad to each approach.

Yes! We want to know everything! Everything, I say! Just joking. We are demanding, nosy , and sometimes just horribly impatient people. I'm not proud and it ain't pretty. ‍

 

[Bekind89]

Just to add, it's interesting to me to compare this case with the murder of the Dermonds in Georgia. An older, wealthy couple, targeted for an unknown motive, very unusual actions by the killer(s).

The Sheriff in that case has spoken innumerable times to the media, providing lots of details (too many details to accurately remember) about the results of the investigations.

However, beyond providing lots of content for the true crime industry...it remains unsolved over 10 years later.

So, IMO, whether police provide the public with details or don't, doesn't affect whether they solve the crime. It only affects the number of true crime channels that will make an episode out of the case, or the number of times that 'new details' gives the media a reason to rehash the basics of the case.

IMO police in Canada prefer that their suspects don't know anything about what police know. When you're playing poker, you don't show your hand.

JMO

All I can say is that the direction the online true crime communities have been heading - straight down- and the misinformation from podcasters and influencers , I believe your county is correct and wise in this.
Much respect and may I live you? I want outta here!

 

[Lalalacasbah]

The only opinion regarding "igniting long dormant anger" is the fact as we age, the likelihood that we resort to violence, such as a revenge killing, diminishes greatly. I am sure there are exceptions, but I stand by the probabilities.

Secondly, I do not know who Barry ended up suing, but I would expect the principals of those companies/entities would have been at least 30 years old at the time, so they would be 50 plus in 2017.

MOO

To play devil's advocate, a grudge like that could still be a strong motive and anger could build up over years to a more unhealthy progression and escalate to violence.

I immediately thought of the Liknes/O'Brien murders in Alberta...the depraved killer Douglas Garland stewed for YEARS over basically a 'bad business deal' thinking Liknes patented an idea he helped with (and didn't get the credit). His obsessive fantasy of revenge got more warped and disturbing as the years went on until he finally and sadly acted on it.

I however, feel it is still someone closer to BS and HS but the idea is quite plausible and definitely not one to overlook. MOO, JMO

 

[ldlager]

Yes! We want to know everything! Everything, I say! Just joking. We are demanding, nosy , and sometimes just horribly impatient people. I'm not proud and it ain't pretty. ‍

We are hoping that LE is not releasing info or asking for help because they know what happened and they are just building a case and finalizing evidence. However, there is also a fear among some of us that the reason that LE is saying nothing is that their investigation was messed up from the start, and they have little to go on.

 

[Cedars]

We are hoping that LE is not releasing info or asking for help because they know what happened and they are just building a case and finalizing evidence.

Really? Does anyone actually believe that? IMO, it's such a cold case, it's sitting far down at the bottom of the old freezer out in the garage. It's only being kept alive by the persistance of someone trying to sell books.

My comment about police not releasing information was a general observation about almost all Canadian cases, most of which I follow.

I'm sorry to read there is so much fear because the case hasn't been solved. I really don't think the killer is going to target anyone else in TO. IIRC, that's exactly what Brandon Price said the day the bodies were found.

JMO

 

[PrairieWind]

Really? Does anyone actually believe that? IMO, it's such a cold case, it's sitting far down at the bottom of the old freezer out in the garage. It's only being kept alive by the persistance of someone trying to sell books.

My comment about police not releasing information was a general observation about almost all Canadian cases, most of which I follow.

I'm sorry to read there is so much fear because the case hasn't been solved. I really don't think the killer is going to target anyone else in TO. IIRC, that's exactly what Brandon Price said the day the bodies were found.

JMO

LOL. It is pretty cold. I don't know if the police have any real leads now or not. But I agree, I doubt the public in general is in danger from these killers. Do the police know or suspect who did it? Maybe. But they have gotten away with it so far.

 

[Bekind89]

To play devil's advocate, a grudge like that could still be a strong motive and anger could build up over years to a more unhealthy progression and escalate to violence.

I immediately thought of the Liknes/O'Brien murders in Alberta...the depraved killer Douglas Garland stewed for YEARS over basically a 'bad business deal' thinking Liknes patented an idea he helped with (and didn't get the credit). His obsessive fantasy of revenge got more warped and disturbing as the years went on until he finally and sadly acted on it.

I however, feel it is still someone closer to BS and HS but the idea is quite plausible and definitely not one to overlook. MOO, JMO

We are hoping that LE is not releasing info or asking for help because they know what happened and they are just building a case and finalizing evidence. However, there is also a fear among some of us that the reason that LE is saying nothing is that their investigation was messed up from the start, and they have little to go on.

How long did the police treat this as a murder/suicide?

 

[fadedglitter]

How long did the police treat this as a murder/suicide?

It was never “treated” as a murder/suicide. Police were investigating three possibilities (double suicide, murder/suicide, double homicide) for about six weeks. They announced it was a targeted double homicide on January 26, 2018.

 

[ldlager]

It was never “treated” as a murder/suicide. Police were investigating three possibilities (double suicide, murder/suicide, double homicide) for about six weeks. They announced it was a targeted double homicide on January 26, 2018.

In fairness, many suspect that LE operated on the belief that this was a M/S, certainly for several weeks after the bodies were discovered. It was only during the Gomes press conference that LE claimed they investigated all 3 alternatives- MS,SS, or MM

 

[Bekind89]

In fairness, many suspect that LE operated on the belief that this was a M/S, certainly for several weeks after the bodies were discovered. It was only during the Gomes press conference that LE claimed they investigated all 3 alternatives- MS,SS, or MM

Oof! So much evidence must have been lost.

 

[MerlinFalcon]

Oof! So much evidence must have been lost.

You should listen to the podcasts by Kevin Donovan from The Toronto Star. He wrote a book and also has a 4 part series on Crave called Billionaire Murders.

 

[Charlot123]

To play devil's advocate, a grudge like that could still be a strong motive and anger could build up over years to a more unhealthy progression and escalate to violence.

I immediately thought of the Liknes/O'Brien murders in Alberta...the depraved killer Douglas Garland stewed for YEARS over basically a 'bad business deal' thinking Liknes patented an idea he helped with (and didn't get the credit). His obsessive fantasy of revenge got more warped and disturbing as the years went on until he finally and sadly acted on it.

I however, feel it is still someone closer to BS and HS but the idea is quite plausible and definitely not one to overlook. MOO, JMO

I see two factors that could play the role:

- money. And this, I think, will end up being the reason for the murders, in some shape or form
- personality traits that did not get easier as the Sherman aged. I suspect that people who knew them well would call them “eccentric”, but might the ones who didn’t spend much time with them react differently? It could be a form of hate crime, too. Especially given the staging.

 

[Bekind89]

You should listen to the podcasts by Kevin Donovan from The Toronto Star. He wrote a book and also has a 4 part series on Crave called Billionaire Murders.

Oh, thank you! I am very eager to read about this case. This is a very interesting case.

 

[Lalalacasbah]

Oh, thank you! I am very eager to read about this case. This is a very interesting case.

I agree! It is quite nuts really, especially since still unsolved. I keep waiting to hear of a break or arrest so hope one day that happens.

 

[WINDSOR]

I think the issue to the TPS is more about what can be proven in court to get a conviction, rather than knowing who did it.
I have a hunch that the TPS has a pretty good idea who was the mastermind and how the crimes were committed. What they do not know is specific names and related details of the some of the individuals involved. Likely they do not have verifiable evidence showing the connections between the individuals.

For example.
Bill Smith was the Mastermind
Joe Brown and an unknown individual were the contract killers.
If the TPS have no evidence of payment from the Mastermind to contract killers, they cannot charge the Mastermind.
So in all likelihood the TPS is waiting.

Understand this is just my supposition, it may be overly optimistic regarding what the TPS has achieved.

 

[ldlager]

I think the issue to the TPS is more about what can be proven in court to get a conviction, rather than knowing who did it.
I have a hunch that the TPS has a pretty good idea who was the mastermind and how the crimes were committed. What they do not know is specific names and related details of the some of the individuals involved. Likely they do not have verifiable evidence showing the connections between the individuals.

For example.
Bill Smith was the Mastermind
Joe Brown and an unknown individual were the contract killers.
If the TPS have no evidence of payment from the Mastermind to contract killers, they cannot charge the Mastermind.
So in all likelihood the TPS is waiting.

Understand this is just my supposition, it may be overly optimistic regarding what the TPS has achieved.

I am not clear how TPS could know that Bill Smith was the Mastermind, in the absence of finding verifiable communications with, or payments to,Joe Brown; and knowing that Joe Brown was the killer. Like you, I think LE has a theory, but may not have evidence to prove anything.

 

[xjd11]

Welp, I tried, really tried not to become interested in yet another unsolved cold case, but here I am, lol.
This case is very interesting, yet the secrecy and lack of information released reminds me of the Delphi case.
Do we know if they were killed by the pool where they were found?

Welcome to the Sherman Murder rabbit hole! there is always room for more

 

[fadedglitter]

I am not clear how TPS could know that Bill Smith was the Mastermind, in the absence of finding verifiable communications with, or payments to,Joe Brown; and knowing that Joe Brown was the killer. Like you, I think LE has a theory, but may not have evidence to prove anything.

Exactly. When police ACTUALLY know a person is responsible, they move heaven and earth to get admissible evidence to prove it in court. Until then they just have theories.

 

[WINDSOR]

I am not clear how TPS could know that Bill Smith was the Mastermind, in the absence of finding verifiable communications with, or payments to,Joe Brown; and knowing that Joe Brown was the killer. Like you, I think LE has a theory, but may not have evidence to prove anything.

We do not know what the TPS knows or does not know, as the TPS release very little info. They may know Bill Smith is the mastermind through hearsay or other uncorroborated evidence. They also may have a 'very good feeling' based on some behaviors of Bill Smith.

 

[newclues]

Exactly. When police ACTUALLY know a person is responsible, they move heaven and earth to get admissible evidence to prove it in court. Until then they just have theories.

What is the most popular theory so far?