Suspicion | The Billionaire Murders: The hunt for the killers of Honey and Barry Sherman

Honey and Barry Sherman had nothing on their calendar, friends were away and Barry’s life was a who’s who of suspects. He also owed a lot of money. If there ever was a perfect time to commit a horrendous murder and get away with it, this was it.

This is episode eight of “The Billionaire Murders: The hunt for the killers of Honey and Barry Sherman,” a “Suspicion” podcast probing the strange case of the famous Toronto couple who were found strangled in their north Toronto home in 2017. For five years, reporter Kevin Donovan has covered the case for the Star, fought court battles to access documents on the police investigation and the Sherman estate, and wrote a book about it.

Audio Sources: I24 News, Yes TV, CityNews, Global, Murder on the Orient Express movie

A long, winding road takes reporter Kevin Donovan to a most unusual meeting in a cold garage with Honey and Barry Sherman’s only son, the man who calls himself the “heir apparent” and whose sister suspects he was involved in the murders. In a wide-ranging conversation, Jonathon says he is an open book. Ask me anything, he says, which Donovan does. Jonathon is voiced by an actor based on his interview with Kevin and email correspondence.

This is episode seven of “The Billionaire Murders: The hunt for the killers of Honey and Barry Sherman,” a “Suspicion” podcast probing the strange case of the famous Toronto couple who were found strangled in their north Toronto home in 2017. For five years, Donovan has covered the case for the Star, fought court battles to access documents on the police investigation and the Sherman estate, and wrote a book about it.

Audio Sources: Fillerzine/YouTube, Sherman funeral

All the money in the world can’t buy happiness and the home of Honey and Barry Sherman tells that story. Honey was tough on the kids. Barry was a soft touch. Riches were doled out unevenly and there was division over each other’s lives. Then there were the four cousins who went after Barry in the courts.

This is episode six of “The Billionaire Murders: The hunt for the killers of Honey and Barry Sherman,” a “Suspicion” podcast probing the strange case of the famous Toronto couple who were found strangled in their north Toronto home in 2017. For five years, investigative reporter Kevin Donovan has covered the case for the Star, fought court battles to access documents on the police investigation and the Sherman estate, and wrote a book about it.

Audio Sources: CityNews, Sherman Memorial

When the lead Toronto homicide detective avoids the crime scene and juniors can’t walk across the road to collect key surveillance video, that’s a sign of a poor investigation. And that was just day one after Honey and Barry Sherman were found dead. Join veteran investigative reporter Kevin Donovan as he details the mistakes that turned this case cold.

This is episode five of “The Billionaire Murders: The hunt for the killers of Honey and Barry Sherman,” a “Suspicion” podcast probing the strange case of the famous Toronto couple who were found strangled in their north Toronto home in 2017. For five years, Donovan has covered the case for the Star, fought court battles to access documents on the police investigation and the Sherman estate, and wrote a book about it.

Audio Sources: Sherman family reward press conference, Toronto Police, Law and Order NBC, CTV News, CP24

Barry Sherman the Generous, the Brilliant, the Tough Negotiator. Honey Sherman the Ferocious, the Brave, the Fundraiser. It was love at first sight in the ‘70s and together they raised a family and built a business. Honey’s roots were in the Holocaust and Barry’s in a family where the men died young.

Audio: UJA Federation of Greater Toronto, Sherman Funeral

We follow the footsteps of Honey and Barry Sherman and the mysterious "Walking Man" as they converge on Old Colony Rd., in what became a horrible, murderous evening. But the day started with smiles and workouts. Hannukah had just begun. Honey had presents to buy for grandchildren and Barry had drug battles to fight.

Audio Sources: Toronto Police Press Conferences, Sherman private investigation press conference

After Honey and Barry Sherman are found hanging, police sources say it is a murder-suicide and cause outrage among Sherman friends who believe otherwise. Veteran investigative reporter Kevin Donovan cold calls sources and gets a promising lead.

This is episode two of “The Billionaire Murders: The hunt for the killers of Honey and Barry Sherman,” a “Suspicion” podcast probing the strange case of the famous Toronto couple who were found strangled in their north Toronto home in 2017. For five years, Donovan has covered the case for the Star, fought court battles to access documents on the police investigation and the Sherman estate, and wrote a book about it.

Toronto Star subscribers will also get exclusive early access to behind-the-scenes bonus episodes. If you are not a subscriber, use promo code PODCAST to save 10% on an annual subscription at thestar.com/subscribe.

Audio sources: Washington Post, CTV, Canadian Press, Global, Toronto Police Services, CBS

Where are Honey and Barry Sherman? It’s a typical day for these eccentric billionaires but they’re not answering the phone. After a gruesome discovery, the Sherman children decide to tear down the mansion where they grew up. Before wreckers arrive, a mysterious intruder discovers signs of an investigation gone wrong.

This is episode one of “The Billionaire Murders: The hunt for the killers of Honey and Barry Sherman,” a “Suspicion” podcast probing the strange case of the famous Toronto couple who were found strangled in their north Toronto home in 2017. For five years, Kevin Donovan has covered the case for the Star, fought court battles to access documents on the police investigation and the Shermans and their estate, and wrote a book about it. 

Audio sources: CityNews, Global

Launching Feb. 10, Season 2 of “Suspicion” brings “The Billionaire Murders: The hunt for the killers of Honey and Barry Sherman,” a podcast probing the strange case of the famous Toronto couple who were found strangled in their north Toronto home in 2017.

Barry Sherman was the multibillionaire founder of Canadian pharmaceutical company Apotex and a well-known philanthropist. Honey was a tireless fundraiser involved in charity boards and committees. Hosted by the Star’s award-winning chief investigative reporter Kevin Donovan, the series will feature eight original episodes with friends and family who knew the Shermans best and reveals the inside story of the hunt for the killers. For five years, Donovan covered the case for the Star, fought court battles to access documents on the police investigation and the Sherman estate, and wrote a book about it. This podcast lets you hear directly from him and his sources.

Toronto Star subscribers will also get exclusive early access to behind-the-scenes bonus episodes. If you are not a subscriber, use promo code PODCAST to save 10% on an annual subscription at thestar.com/subscribe.

Thank you so much for listening to Death in a Small Town. With the trial beginning this fall, we'll continue to update you as news comes in. Meantime, we want to bring you more true crime investigations. So we're renaming this podcast Suspicion, to make room for a brand new investigation that's coming soon. Like Death in a Small Town, this podcast has been years in the making. So please stay tuned.

As the McLellans prepare to celebrate son Luke’s graduation, the Ontario Provincial Police make an arrest in Nathaniel’s case. It’s been six years. Why are child death investigations this hard and how can they be done better?

Audio sources: Toronto Star, CTV News London

The small-town rumour mill is in overdrive. When Rose-Anne and Kent see a police car they expect to be pulled over.  Their extended family is torn – some say fight on, others say drop it. Then, an eerily familiar request from police. Come to the station, we have news.

Audio sources: Toronto Star, CTV News London

What is normal behaviour when your child is dying? Rose-Anne and Kent confront doctors and learn what they were saying behind their back. Rose-Anne digs deeper and discovers missed clues.

Audio sources: Toronto Star, CTV News London

As the tunnel vision of police and doctors narrows even further, we investigate. The daycare operator’s media posts and interviews with locals help fill in some of the blanks in Nathaniel’s story, while a court victory provides access to previously secret police notes.

Audio sources: Toronto Star, CTV News London

Shortly after Nathaniel is buried, police use a ruse to bring his parents in for interrogation. Rose-Anne and Kent reveal new information and the mystery of what happened to their son deepens.

Audio sources: Toronto Star, CTV News London

Detectives zero in on parents Rose-Anne and Kent McLellan, while their son clings to life. While their every action is called into question, police conduct unauthorized searches and interview Nathaniel’s three brothers in a basement room.

Audio sources: Toronto Star, CTV News London

Roll out of bed, get the kids to school, then off to work. Just before noon, disaster. A mysterious injury to young Nathaniel McLellan puzzles doctors at two hospitals and sparks what would become a six-year police investigation.

Audio sources: Toronto Star, CTV News London

What began as just another day for the McLellan family would end with their youngest son clinging to life in hospital and a cloud of suspicion hanging over his mother and father. Why did Nathaniel collapse at the babysitter’s home? And why did police keep their focus on his parents? Listen to the seven-part podcast series by Toronto Star investigative reporter Kevin Donovan.

The series starts Monday, May 16, here, or at thestar.com/deathinasmalltownpodcast. 

Audio sources: Toronto Star, CTV News London