‘Incredibly Painful’: Thousands Attend Funeral for Billionaire Couple Found Dead
Thousands attended a funeral service to mourn the lives of a billionaire couple found dead in their home last Friday. The couple was reportedly one of the richest and most philanthropic couples in Canada.
According to the Toronto Police Department, police responded to Barry and Honey Sherman’s Toronto home on Friday, Dec. 15 and found the married couple strangled in their basement. Barry, 75 and Honey, 70, were found next to each other in their pool room, each with a men’s leather belt wrapped around their necks and tied to a pool railing, The Toronto Sun reported. The Canadian newspaper added the two were wearing jackets pulled behind their backs and over their arms.
Toronto Police confirmed the cause of death for the deceased was ligature neck compression. Speculation has surrounded the case after media reports announced police were initially theorized it as a murder-suicide, which the family strongly denied.
In a statement, the Shermans' four kids, Lauren, Jonathon, Alexandra and Kaelen, said, "We are shocked and think it's irresponsible that police sources have reportedly advised the media of a theory which neither their family, their friends nor their colleagues believe to be true."
The somber service took place at Toronto's International Center, a large conference facility near the airport. The Sherman family was joined by a large crowd of community leaders, politicians, Toronto residents, and hundreds of employees from Apotex, Canada's largest pharmaceuticals founded by Barry.
The Shermans’ son, Jon, held back tears as he described the family’s agony. “This has been so incredibly painful and so bizarrely surreal.”
An eyewitness exclusively told RadarOnline.com that the bodies were privately viewed by the family Thursday, and laid out at the service.
The crowd was so large that six flat screen televisions hung from the ceilings for the somber words.
Toronto Mayor John Tory and Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynn spoke at the tragic service to thousands of community leaders, politicians, Toronto residents, including hundreds of employees from Apotex.
“At the heart and soul of one of the most caring cities in the world were two smart, caring, generous people with big hearts, Honey and Barry Sherman,” said Tory to the crowd. However, Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, a recipient of Sherman’s generous campaign support who was in attendance at the service, remained silent.
Toronto Police say the investigation is continuing and did not give any updates due to the service. Police have marked the deaths “suspicious.” We pay for juicy info! Do you have a story for RadarOnline.com? Email us at tips@radaronline.com, or call us at (866) ON-RADAR (667-2327) any time, day or night.