Barry Sherman and wife died from 'ligature neck compression' as murder detectives take over case

Murder detectives are now investigating the deaths of Canadian billionaire Barry Sherman and his wife after tests showed they died from “ligature neck compression”.

Pharmaceutical magnate Barry Sherman, 75, and his wife, Honey, were found dead in their Toronto mansion on Friday.

Police called the deaths suspicious, but initially said that there were no signs of forced entry and that they were not looking for any suspect.

The Sherman family issued a statement on Saturday urging police to conduct a “thorough, intensive and objective criminal investigation” into the deaths and hit out at reports the deaths were being investigated as a possible murder-suicide.

An autopsy revealed both had died from ligature neck compression, officers revealed last night.

Canadian Business magazine recently estimated Mr Sherman’s worth at 4.77 billion Canadian dollars (£2.7 billion), making him the 15th richest person in the country. Mr Sherman founded Toronto-based Apotex Inc in 1974 with two employees and turned the generic drugmaker into a company that now has 11,000 employees worldwide.

The Shermans were among Canada’s most generous philanthropists, and their deaths shocked Canadian high society. The couple made numerous multimillion-dollar donations to hospitals, schools and charities and had buildings named in their honour.

Linda Frum, a Canadian senator and close friend of the couple, said they were one of the kindest and most beloved members of Canada’s Jewish community.

“Our community is steeped in grief. I am heartbroken,” Ms Frum tweeted.

Barry Sherman was not without controversy. He faced legal action from family members alleging they had been cut out of the company over the years. A judge dismissed the claim.