Sherman Murders: On Theoretics
After a few important discussions, it recently occurred to me just how confusing this case is from an investigative standpoint. Obvious point perhaps, but there is a depth to the reflection, I think. If doing any deep dive on the various personalities and potential motives at play, your head starts spinning in that depth.
Writer Matthew Campbell addresses this in one of his own commentary’s on the case asserting that nature abhors a vacuum. He’s right. The web of theories discussed on- and off-line, so to speak, suggest this to be the case in my own experience.
Indeed, this is true and in this case the vacuum is brought to us by a very conservative police service, quietly licking its wounds. Interestingly, the Sherman case wasn’t the only one botched by TPS around the time of the crime - see the MacArthur saga for more if you really want a look at TPS at that time (and perhaps become aggravated or enraged). It is simply astonishing that Toronto remains one of the largest cities in the country lacking a dedicated missing persons unit. Had one existed, MacArthur likely would have been apprehended much sooner.
Paradoxically, that need to get the MacArthur case right in the late stages likely diminished the commitment to the Sherman probe. More on that later.
For now, here is a bit of a list in terms of some of the theories or possibilities that have been widely speculated. Some of the specific takes below, much less so. Of course, this is pure speculation and no suspects have been named.
Financial Gain. Yes, money. This is a fan favorite in the Sherman probe so far as motive is concerned and there is little doubt as to why. The CBC podcast hilariously and incorrectly suggests that money is the common tie across all possible theories. Seems they take pointers from the police. But the targets were billionaires. Beyond that, it’s true Sherman invested with some questionable characters - some with out and out criminal histories. There are sub-categories here. Some point fingers at the kids, others at associates of the kids, others at high ups in Apotex itself or those linked to other business endeavors Sherman was involved in. Still, little is known about potential money motives outside the family unit and that should unsettle us. The estate being ‘embedded’ in the police investigation and the active searching of five countries remain the strongest links to a monetary theory.
Ideology/Hate Crime. This has been forwarded by Honey’s sister in part - suggesting a religious motive. Sherman was a devout atheist, this much we know to be fact. But the Sherman murders were a loss to the Jewish community in Toronto, first and foremost, and a friend of Sherman’s I spoke to for my upcoming long-form piece corroborated this view. Honey’s academic interests in the lead up to the murders have also been forwarded as potentially being related to the commission of the crime. She is featured in this video, and perhaps this was what the sister was referring to. Limited to no evidence or known police interest.
Revenge/Personal Dispute/Animus. Some things have been written about this angle. There were those around or connected to Sherman who would have had potential motive. The changes to the estate, the new house being built, and the old one being sold and shown all contribute to this possibility. In the case of Garland, seeing the listing was a major impetus to turn animus into action. Other developments leading up the murders in the Sherman case could be substituted in as a stimulus. I do wonder at times about the unknown assailant, however. That is to say the aggrieved from before. Ex-employees, ex-business partners, the subjects of lawsuits from days gone by, etc. Brad Garret, aka Dr Death, speaks to this theory well. “Payback on something that happened”. It is the strongest ‘not-talked about’ theory, in my mind anyway, but beyond the profile of the crime, limited evidence or known police interest.
Jealousy/Love. Limited to no evidence or known police interest. Unlikely here.
Of course, I have left out some potential theories, but that is mainly because they include things like a pharma or political hit, and the egregious theory of murder-suicide. Such nonsense finds little room for growth here. I think that the list is itself dangerous as its easy to pigeonhole your thoughts and discount other possibilities or angles. The financial motive here stands out as an example. There is a lot of uncharted territory there, both on and off-line.
I was fairly wed to the cousin or son theory Dennis until you brought up the Garland murders. I am always constantly reminded not to jump to conclusions, but it seems I still have a ways to go in cementing this thought process 🥴.
I do look forward to your posts. Thank you.