Billionaire Barry Sherman, wife found dead in their Toronto mansion, officials say
Police described the deaths as "suspicious."
— -- Canadian billionaire and philanthropist Barry Sherman and his wife, Honey, have been found dead in their Toronto mansion, officials said.
Two bodies were found at 50 Old Colony Road in the North York area of the Canadian city on Friday after police received a call around 11:45 a.m. detailing a medical incident at the home, Toronto Police Constable David Hopkinson said at a press conference Friday afternoon.
Investigators described the deaths as "suspicious" but said it is too early to deem them homicides, Hopkinson said. The homicide unit has not yet been called in, he added.
While police did not release the identities of the bodies found, Dr. Eric Hoskins, the province of Ontario's Minister of Health and Long-Term Care, was first to confirm the couple's deaths on Twitter, describing Barry and Honey Sherman as "dear friends."
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau expressed his condolences Friday night, tweeting "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."
Barry Sherman founded Toronto-based pharmaceutical company Apotex Inc. His estimated net worth is $3.2 billion, according to Forbes.
Apotex tweeted Friday night, "We’ve been informed of the tragic news that Barry and Honey Sherman have unexpectedly passed away. All of us at Apotex are deeply shocked and saddened by this news and our thoughts and prayers are with the family at this time."
Apotex posted a lengthier statement on its website Saturday morning.
"It is with profound sadness that we announce the unexpected passing of our founder, Dr. Bernard C. Sherman, Chairman of the Board of the Apotex Group of Companies, at the age of 75, and his wife Honey Sherman," the company said. "Dr. Sherman gave his life to the singular purpose of our organization – innovating for patient affordability. Patients around the world live healthier and more fulfilled lives thanks to his life's work, and his significant impact on healthcare and healthcare sustainability will have an enduring impact for many years to come. As employees, we are proud of his tremendous accomplishments, honored to have known him, and vow to carry on with the Apotex purpose in his honor."
Honey Sherman was a member of the board of the Baycrest Foundation -- the fundraising arm of a research and teaching hospital for the elderly in Toronto -- as well as the York University Foundation. She also served on the boards of Mount Sinai's Women's Auxiliary, the Simon Wiesenthal Center and the International American Joint Distribution Committee, according to ABC's Canadian partner, CTV News.
The Shermans were among Canada's most generous philanthropists, making several numerous multimillion-dollar donations to hospitals, schools and charities.
A University of Toronto website lists the Apotex Foundation and the Shermans as donors in the range of $10 million to $25 million during 1995 and 2003. They also donated about $50 million to the United Jewish Appeal, CTV News reported.
The couple had recently placed their 12,440 square foot home for sale, listing the modern home -- located within the city limits of Toronto -- for nearly $7 million, according to realtor.ca.
Further details on their deaths were not immediately available.
ABC News' Alexandra Faul, Jason Volack and Morgan Winsor contributed to this report.
