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

[fadedglitter]

Agreed. Barry was an absurdly intelligent person, achieving stellar academic results. That’s already unusual but he was also cunning and wily. A rare combination. In business, he took calculated risks that would have seemed crazy to others.

But in this case: why? A moment of anger? Or planned? And it would certainly have needed an accomplice if the findings of the second autopsy (missed in the first) are correct – that cable ties (or equivalent thin ligatures) were used. The first pathologist attended the second autopsy but if he has publicly stated his revised opinion, I’ve missed it.

The ITOs say:

i. On January 22nd, 2018 Dr. PICKUP spoke with D/S GOMES and advised that he believes that the manner of death for both SHERMANs is that of homicide.

ii. On January 24th, 2018 D/S GOMES met with Dr. CHIASSON, a pathologist hired by the family of Bernard SHERMAN and Honey SHERMAN. Dr. CHIASSON
conducted a forensic review of the deaths. On December 20th, 2017 Dr.
CHIASSON performed post mortem examinations on the SHERMANs. On
January 24th, 2018, Dr. CHIASSON advised D/S GOMES that he believed that the manner of death for both SHERMANs was that of homicide.

It’s weird that the private pathologist gets all of the credit for the double homicide finding. The family didn’t even give Dr Chiasson’s findings to police. The police learned about his findings when they were leaked to the Star.

Dr. Pickup noted the wrist markings at the first autopsy and removed the skin so it could be analyzed. He definitely didn’t “miss” them. He was more cautious about immediately coming to a conclusion about what they indicated. But by the end of January both doctors were certain it was a double homicide.

 

[fadedglitter]

bbm
I mean: The helper didn't kill him; BS did it himself. The helper only staged the scene like BS wanted it (for his own reputation, means also the children's and Apotex' reputation).

MOO and speculation. (.... and then you may forget it)

I’ve seen this theory a couple of times and while I don’t think it’s correct, I kind of love it. That would be a good friend, indeed. The friend would have evidence of his agreement with Barry, and if the police ever caught up with him he’d be able to use it in his defence. He wouldn’t be guilty of murder but of obstructing justice and other offences related to interfering with the crime scene.

Of course, after the police expended years and millions of dollars in resources, they’d be furious. This would be a risky move. And there’s no evidence Barry conspired with anyone to do this, or had anyone on call to spring into action when he finally snapped.

I really do love the theory. It explains the cleanup and bizarre staging. It aligns with what KW has said about his cousin having a terrifying temper that he hid from most others. And it is sadly very common for men to murder their wives. Barry may not have realized how much this would offend and devastate his children.

But I can’t get on board with any theory that has no evidence to support it, regardless of how interesting it is.

 

[J Sleuth]

I’ve seen this theory a couple of times and while I don’t think it’s correct, I kind of love it. That would be a good friend, indeed. The friend would have evidence of his agreement with Barry, and if the police ever caught up with him he’d be able to use it in his defence. He wouldn’t be guilty of murder but of obstructing justice and other offences related to interfering with the crime scene.

Of course, after the police expended years and millions of dollars in resources, they’d be furious. This would be a risky move. And there’s no evidence Barry conspired with anyone to do this, or had anyone on call to spring into action when he finally snapped.

I really do love the theory. It explains the cleanup and bizarre staging. It aligns with what KW has said about his cousin having a terrifying temper that he hid from most others. And it is sadly very common for men to murder their wives. Barry may not have realized how much this would offend and devastate his children.

But I can’t get on board with any theory that has no evidence to support it, regardless of how interesting it is.

I was always under the impression that JK owned a small piece of the equity in Apotex, say maybe 5% as he had built up the company with BS and IMO he was entitled to owning a piece of it. I did some checking and was unable to find anything in regards to JK owning a piece of the company. Does anyone know anything about this?

 

[wibbleflea]

But like the hugely vast majority of people in the world, he didn’t murder anyone.

Highly improbable that it was Barry with an accomplice. I’d be amazed – it’s the least likely theory and by a long, long way. One person (KW) claimed to think it was Barry and continues to make that claim. (That fact is interesting for other reasons.) The police initially seemed to think it was Barry, judging from the initial announcement about there been no risk to the public. Also interesting.

Barry certainly wasn’t the one dragging bodies around and disposing of thin ligatures and almost certainly didn’t kill anyone. However improbable, it’s not impossible.

 

[WINDSOR]

Honey convinced Barry to stop giving huge sums to their two younger daughters. The two oldest received large sums for investing and as regular payments; the younger two far less. (Still a lot by Canadian standards but less than their big brother and sister.) If inheritance was the motive, could it not be that someone saw the opportunity to get her fair share, a true 25% rather than watching millions be poured into her brother’s storage company?

We now know that Barry was participating in the meetings with builders. But the murderer may have had no idea. The murderer certainly did not have all of the emails showing the steps Barry was taking to free up cash, like cutting FDA off. It would be unwise to assume the murderer had all of the information that has since been published in the Star.

"Honey convinced Barry to stop giving huge sums to their two younger daughters."
How do we know this? Did the daughters ask for money and were they refused?

We know JS asked for money to fund his business activities, and Barry supported him financially.

I would really be surprised to learn that Honey acted in some way detrimental to the younger daughters.

 

[wibbleflea]

Dr. Pickup noted the wrist markings at the first autopsy and removed the skin so it could be analyzed. He definitely didn’t “miss” them. He was more cautious about immediately coming to a conclusion about what they indicated. But by the end of January both doctors were certain it was a double homicide.

Useful! This was news to me. Thanks.

 

[fadedglitter]

"Honey convinced Barry to stop giving huge sums to their two younger daughters."
How do we know this? Did the daughters ask for money and were they refused?

We know JS asked for money to fund his business activities, and Barry supported him financially.

I would really be surprised to learn that Honey acted in some way detrimental to the younger daughters.

You will be really surprised, then. Donovan’s book has sections and chapters too long to quote, detailing how Barry gave his two oldest tens of millions at a young age, and the two youngest far more modest financial support when they turned 21. Honey disapproved and over the years her influence had been felt, but the kids still were receiving large amounts as lump sums, paying for specific purchases, and regular salary payments. The youngest had run up a credit card bill that displeased him. None of the girls were interested in business but Barry continued to fund things he thought would eventually produce independent streams of income.

Donovan has reported similar things over the years. Here’s one example I can link (it’s from his reporting on the ITOs):

Glasenberg said Barry gave the four children salaries — all different amounts — and the youngest, Kaelen, received the least.

 

[fadedglitter]

Aha, found a news story that describes the dynamic more succinctly:

Barry gifted millions of dollars to the four children, much more to the first two — Lauren and Jonathon. In my interview with Jonathon in late December at his 100-acre compound, he described this as Barry “actively transferring wealth” to him. (Lauren, and Kaelen, have never agreed to an interview.) Alexandra and Kaelen received money over the years, but far less, family insiders say. “Honey had convinced Barry to be more careful with the second two,” one family member said.

 

[FromGermany1]

You will be really surprised, then. Donovan’s book has sections and chapters too long to quote, detailing how Barry gave his two oldest tens of millions at a young age, and the two youngest far more modest financial support when they turned 21. Honey disapproved and over the years her influence had been felt, but the kids still were receiving large amounts as lump sums, paying for specific purchases, and regular salary payments. The youngest had run up a credit card bill that displeased him. None of the girls were interested in business but Barry continued to fund things he thought would eventually produce independent streams of income.

Donovan has reported similar things over the years. Here’s one example I can link (it’s from his reporting on the ITOs):

Glasenberg said Barry gave the four children salaries — all different amounts — and the youngest, Kaelen, received the least.

I remember, that the youngest wanted a new car and Barry refused to pay. When BS had died, a short time afterwards KS bought her wanted new car (and I was a little embarrassed). Two murdered parents, and she has nothing better to do, I thought at the time. MOO

 

[fadedglitter]

I remember, that the youngest wanted a new car and Barry refused to pay. When BS had died, a short time afterwards KS bought her wanted new car (and I was a little embarrassed). Two murdered parents, and she has nothing better to do, I thought at the time. MOO

The youngest is the only one of Barry’s children, that we know of, to be denied the money she was asking for. She watched her siblings receive millions, with more payments the day of the murders for her brother’s surrogate. Her brother was repeatedly assured that even when money was tight, more would be provided later. Her sisters got huge payments for investing, far more than they were interested in spending.

And she couldn’t even get a free vehicle, and was being criticized about her credit card spending.

I don’t think she did it. I just think it’s weird to assume that inheritance was the motive, and that only one of the children would have benefitted from inheritance.

 

[WINDSOR]

The youngest is the only one of Barry’s children, that we know of, to be denied the money she was asking for. She watched her siblings receive millions, with more payments the day of the murders for her brother’s surrogate. Her brother was repeatedly assured that even when money was tight, more would be provided later. Her sisters got huge payments for investing, far more than they were interested in spending.

And she couldn’t even get a free vehicle, and was being criticized about her credit card spending.

I don’t think she did it. I just think it’s weird to assume that inheritance was the motive, and that only one of the children would have benefitted from inheritance.

Okay you think it is weird assume that inheritance was a motive. All the children did benefit. However that does not mean one was more 'wanting of the inheritance now, for business reasons'

What do you believe was the motive?

MOO

 

[fadedglitter]

Okay you think it is weird assume that inheritance was a motive. All the children did benefit. However that does not mean one was more 'wanting of the inheritance now, for business reasons'

What do you believe was the motive?

MOO

I believe the motive was financial, but in a far smaller amount than the billions some imagine were at stake. Barry was calling loans, laying staff off, and cutting friends off financially. I think one of those people panicked and responded irrationally. The amount would have been negligible to a billionaire but significant to a person who was unexpectedly losing a regular payment or asked to return money that was spent long ago.

I do not believe the murderer had or needed any information about the Shermans’ schedules or their friends’ or employees’ schedules. Nor do I think the murderer had access to this information.

 

[dotr]

Article was updated Mar 11, 2025

People had reason to ‘hurt’ Barry and Honey Sherman, son tells Toronto police in early days of the investigation

In the days after they were found dead, Barry and Honey Sherman’s son Jonathon told police there were people who had a reason to “hurt” his parents, according to newly

www.toronto.com

“Jonathon says that his parents were complicated people and that there are people out there who would have a grudge against them and would have a reason to hurt them,” according to police notes of a statement Jonathon Sherman gave to police on Dec. 23, 2017, the week after the Sherman bodies were discovered.''

''Police also interviewed Jared Render, who at the time was Kaelen’s fiancé. Render tells police Barry is very generous and is paying for the entire wedding (Kaelen and Jared were married and divorced in the space of six months, after the Sherman funeral.) Render says he had become close to the Shermans through Kaelen, and Barry helped him get a job working as an electrician for his pharmaceutical firm Apotex and also helped Honey out with home technical issues.''

 

[ldlager]

I believe the motive was financial, but in a far smaller amount than the billions some imagine were at stake. Barry was calling loans, laying staff off, and cutting friends off financially. I think one of those people panicked and responded irrationally. The amount would have been negligible to a billionaire but significant to a person who was unexpectedly losing a regular payment or asked to return money that was spent long ago.

I do not believe the murderer had or needed any information about the Shermans’ schedules or their friends’ or employees’ schedules. Nor do I think the murderer had access to this information.

If your theory is correct, who, after the murders, either 1) kept the money they had been gifted or /loaned by BS prior to the murders; or 2) received money or benefit as a result of the murders. Those people in 1) include principally: FDA, JD, and MS and her husband. Those individuals in 2) are the 4 children, BK, AP, the family members that were beneficiaries of the trust that BS set up. Seems like a small group, and does not eliminate any of the children as suspects IMO.

 

[fadedglitter]

If your theory is correct, who, after the murders, either 1) kept the money they had been gifted or /loaned by BS prior to the murders; or 2) received money or benefit as a result of the murders. Those people in 1) include principally: FDA, JD, and MS and her husband. Those individuals in 2) are the 4 children, BK, AP, the family members that were beneficiaries of the trust that BS set up. Seems like a small group, and does not eliminate any of the children as suspects IMO.

It doesn’t eliminate any of the kids. It’s a gigantic group especially when you consider how generous Barry was. And yes, it would include MS and her husband, along with many friends and children of friends and employees and children of employees.

 

[Charlot123]

I’ve seen this theory a couple of times and while I don’t think it’s correct, I kind of love it. That would be a good friend, indeed. The friend would have evidence of his agreement with Barry, and if the police ever caught up with him he’d be able to use it in his defence. He wouldn’t be guilty of murder but of obstructing justice and other offences related to interfering with the crime scene.

Of course, after the police expended years and millions of dollars in resources, they’d be furious. This would be a risky move. And there’s no evidence Barry conspired with anyone to do this, or had anyone on call to spring into action when he finally snapped.

I really do love the theory. It explains the cleanup and bizarre staging. It aligns with what KW has said about his cousin having a terrifying temper that he hid from most others. And it is sadly very common for men to murder their wives. Barry may not have realized how much this would offend and devastate his children.

But I can’t get on board with any theory that has no evidence to support it, regardless of how interesting it is.

I can imagine it being murder/suicide on both sides. BS - something like "a crime of passion". HS - remember Holly not showing up at the philanthropies meeting quoting "lots of things"? "Things" can imply anything, including a serious illness. Would depression related to such knowledge cause unusual acts? Could either of the S. be very ill?

BS is the more likely in such a case, and I can imagine him quietly asking for help. From a phone registered in another country, an unknown email, an old landline. Or - was the charity Holly worked with far away? Could they have a key? Or calling from a forgotten landline in the swimming pool?

But - I assume that most people, especially "professionals", would refuse to be involved. A "murder-suicide" of an old couple is not surprising. Helping with coverup, however, is the surest way to ruin the company, the businesses, the legacy, plus, cause accusations of various types.

The more likely version: some kind of local para-help, and for a lot of money. The scenario of "poor people"/help in coverup for a lot in cash/move away soon" is not implausible. But unlikely.

As it was mentioned, we don't have any proof plus I don't think the mindset of a person who killed the spouse in an emotional fit, even a brilliant person, works this logically.

 

[ldlager]

I can imagine it being murder/suicide on both sides. BS - something like "a crime of passion". HS - remember Holly not showing up at the philanthropies meeting quoting "lots of things"? "Things" can imply anything, including a serious illness. Would depression related to such knowledge cause unusual acts? Could either of the S. be very ill?

BS is the more likely in such a case, and I can imagine him quietly asking for help. From a phone registered in another country, an unknown email, an old landline. Or - was the charity Holly worked with far away? Could they have a key? Or calling from a forgotten landline in the swimming pool?

But - I assume that most people, especially "professionals", would refuse to be involved. A "murder-suicide" of an old couple is not surprising. Helping with coverup, however, is the surest way to ruin the company, the businesses, the legacy, plus, cause accusations of various types.

The more likely version: some kind of local para-help, and for a lot of money. The scenario of "poor people"/help in coverup for a lot in cash/move away soon" is not implausible. But unlikely.

As it was mentioned, we don't have any proof plus I don't think the mindset of a person who killed the spouse in an emotional fit, even a brilliant person, works this logically.

IMO BS didn’t murder anyone, and didn’t arrange a double homicide. Also IMO, the odds that an Apotex employee or someone in their family killed BOTH of the the Sherman’s because of pending layoffs are so small they don’t warrant serious consideration. IMO the person responsible for the murders almost surely belongs to a group of not more than15 or so of the most likely individuals - those individuals with the most to gain by the death of the Sherman’s, , or the most to lose if the Sherman’s remained alive. These are all individuals we have all discussed and speculated about on these threads. IMO

 

[branmuffin]

I thought so.

They were both impulsive people.

Sometimes, you have a parent who becomes a great businessman because he is all that, impulsive, aggressive, ruthless, a workaholic, but also, darn bright. A "cutthroat-economical" way of thinking that most of us don't have. And then, the kids inherit most of these traits, but perhaps, not enough talent nor the obsessiveness. Barry was the unique businessman, see how many times he lost money but ended up winning again. The kids probably had certain insecurity in comparison to him, too.

Plus, their was probably an emotional house, with parents playing favoritism, and no one being sure what they'd finally inherit. All of it contributing into the tensions, no doubt.

What you said is a big IF. I think if he did it, he was not in the phase to ponder his kids' fate. But, had he known how the world would now be guessing, who? why?, he'd be amused.

I'm not sure if I agree with your assessment of the Sherman personalities. Agreed, that BS was a unique individual; socially inept, a distant father whose relationship with his children was based on high expectations because they had his genes, a shark in the business world but a dud in the social world, a person who lived vicariously through colorful characters who he financially supported in flawed enterprises. He was quixotic, a billionaire who drove cars until they were ready for the junk yard. Who would have dressed like a homeless person if it wasn't for HS. He was a bit of a misogynist, too, imo, removing his daughters as trustees of his estate and keeping only JS, his son-in-law BK, JK and AG. Eight years later, JK fired and now deceased and as of days ago, JS is trying to have BK and AG removed. Talk about a monopoly.

As for Honey, I think she was made to feel less than because of her failed pregnancies which made her feel less emotionally attached to her children born by surrogacy. Even though HS had the highest value as one of Canada's biggest philanthropic leaders, she was probably the equivalent of a 50s housewife who was given a budget but had no money of her own. Granted that budget may have been in the millions but it was never hers alone. I mean real money, not earmarked for charity or Sherman business and family related expenses.

They fought. A lot. Their children verified that. But something changed in the last years of their lives and it makes me wonder what that was. The kids said they were more mellow, more given to holding hands, less arguing and more laughing. MS spoke of HS and a will. The famous will that never surfaced and the lawyer who never offered one up. How many lawyers worked for the Shermans? Do all lawyers really abide by the lawyer/client confidentiality agreement? What would make a lawyer renege on that agreement?

I have my number one suspect, who unsurprisingly is the number one suspect of a lot of people but there are other individuals in close proximity to the family who depended on the Shermans to provide them a lifestyle they seemed incapable of providing for themselves even when given the financial assistance to create their own business opportunities. I don't like to call them parasitic but the reality is when close family members are extremely wealthy you might receive their generosity because you're thankful for the gift but if the giver thinks the gift is seen by the recipients as a right it may be taken away. Then what? When you can no longer live the life to which you have become accustomed to?

 

[Charlot123]

IMO BS didn’t murder anyone, and didn’t arrange a double homicide. Also IMO, the odds that an Apotex employee or someone in their family killed BOTH of the the Sherman’s because of pending layoffs are so small they don’t warrant serious consideration. IMO the person responsible for the murders almost surely belongs to a group of not more than15 or so of the most likely individuals - those individuals with the most to gain by the death of the Sherman’s, , or the most to lose if the Sherman’s remained alive. These are all individuals we have all discussed and speculated about on these threads. IMO

Maybe I worded it softer than planned. While I can see how a murder/suicide could have happened, I seriously doubt that it was the case. I think that 99% of people would refuse to be involved in a cover-up.

Employees or layoffs is someone else’s theory.

I potentially agree with you. I also hope that the police will find the killer; we have read a lot about the Shermans, but in the end of the day, two septuagenarians were killed and grotesquely staged in their home.

 

[branmuffin]

That’s really bizarre about the guy with the candle. I guess nobody wants to buy the property because of what happened.

I find a bit odd in the first place, considering she's probably part owner. I wonder if she had blow back from the other owners (her siblings) so she was put in a position to put up her own money. If I was her the first thing I'd do is bring in a lot of heavy equipment to retrieve a lot of evidence that was bulldosed without thought. There could be a trove of information in that lot.

I think a house needs to be built on it. I think she would be doing the residents of the street a real disservice if she turned it into a type of shrine or memorial to her parents. There's already odd people and lookyloos coming to scope out the place why put that burden on the residents of the street forever? Why would she want to be on the hook for the taxes, etc?

Something needs to be built there. It has to be a residence. The area is not zoned commercial. I'd be up in arms if someone tried to do that on my street with multi-million dollar homes. Is that a classic NIMBY? Absolutely, but it's a valid point.