Homicide investigators have taken over the investigation into the weekend death of Apotex Chairman of the Board and founder Barry Sherman and his wife, Honey.
Homicide investigators have taken over the investigation into the weekend death of Apotex Chairman of the Board and founder Barry Sherman and his wife, Honey. Autopsy results show the couple died from “ligature neck compression,” according to reports.
The Shermans, 75 and 70 years of age, were found dead in their Toronto home on Dec. 15. The Toronto Star said the bodies were discovered by a real estate agent who was helping the couple sell their home. The agent entered the home after he could not contact the couple and made this discovery, according to reports.
Police are investigating the circumstances of the couple’s death. According to reports, Toronto police said the deaths “appear to be suspicious” but noted there was no sign of forced entry into the Sherman’s home and police are not looking for any suspects. The police statement has led some people to suggest the deaths could be a murder-suicide, but family members and close family friends have rejected that theory, the Toronto Star said.
Sherman started Canadian generic drugmaker Apotex Inc. with two employees in Canada. Over the years he built it into a company that employs more than 11,000 people with a global presence. After news broke of Sherman’s death, the company posted a tribute to its founder and lionized him for his dedication to the company, preserving its Canadian roots and being a good steward in the community.
“The company’s continued focus on innovative and novel approaches to manufacturing is what has enabled it to produce pharmaceuticals cost effectively, helping to maintain production in Canada versus moving to lower cost markets and region,” Apotex said on its webpage.
Apotex noted that because of Sherman, the company provides support to a number of charitable organizations in Canada as well as around the world. Additionally, the company makes significant investments in university programs. Apotex said its charitable organization called The Apotex Foundation has donated more than $50 million over the past 10 years. The Toronto Star noted that the Shermans had also personally donated millions of dollars to groups across the area. The Star also said in addition to the funds the company foundation has provided, it has also donated millions of dollars of medicine to areas struck by disaster.
“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,” the company said in its statement.
