Homicide unit probing Toronto billionaire couple's death

Toronto Police have confirmed that its homicide unit has taken over the investigation into the death of a Canadian billionaire couple, which the police have been deemed "suspicious".

The autopsy results showed Barry Sherman, 75 and Honey, 70, died from "ligature neck compression", which was either due to a rope or manual strangulation, the local media reported.

Earlier their family lashed out at reports the case was being investigated as a probable murder-suicide.

The Sherman family issued a statement late Saturday afternoon urging police to conduct a thorough criminal investigation.

"Our parents shared an enthusiasm for life and commitment to their family and community totally inconsistent with the rumours regrettably circulated in the media as to the circumstances surrounding their deaths," it read.

"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," it added.

On Friday, the philanthropist couple was found dead in their mansion. Their bodies were found by their estate agent, who had been attempting to sell the property.

Sherman, the 75-year-old founder of generic drug giant Apotex, was one of the richest men in the country, with an estimated net worth of $4.6 billion approximately, according to reports.

"All of us at Apotex are deeply shocked and saddened by this news and our thoughts and prayers are with the family at this time," Apotex wrote in a news release.

The couple had donated millions across the city, from the United Jewish Appeal to the United Way. A charitable arm of Apotex has shipped millions of dollars worth of medicine to disaster zones, the report said.