Inside Canada’s Most Talked-About True Crime Mysteries
True crime in Canada usually follows a predictable pattern, but some cases just stick in your throat. They become part of the national psyche. Right now, if you walk into any coffee shop from Toronto to Vancouver, mentioning the names Barry and Honey Sherman or Cory Fenn will likely spark a long, intense conversation. These aren’t just headlines; they are deep, painful puzzles that reflect the complexities of our justice system and the shadows that sometimes hide in plain sight.
The Sherman case, in particular, feels like something out of a noir novel, yet it happened in a quiet, affluent neighborhood in North York. On the flip side, the Cory Fenn case brought a different kind of horror to Oshawa-a visceral, senseless violence that left a community reeling. While one remains an agonizing “whodunnit,” the other has finally seen a day in court. But do we really have all the answers? Let’s get into the weeds of where these cases stand today.
The Sherman Mystery: Still No Smoke, Still No Fire
It has been years since the bodies of billionaire philanthropists Barry and Honey Sherman were found in their Old Colony Road mansion. For those who don’t follow the business world, Barry was the founder of Apotex, a generic drug giant. He was a man with a thousand lawsuits and probably just as many rivals. When the couple was found posed by their indoor pool, the initial police theory leaned toward a murder-suicide. The family, and honestly most of the public, didn’t buy it for a second.
Fast forward to today, and the case remains “active.” That is police-speak for we haven’t caught anyone yet. The private investigators hired by the family finished their work a while ago, handing everything over to the Toronto Police Service. There was that grainy “walking man” video released a couple of years back-a figure seen trekking through the snow near the house. Police think this person is highly suspicious, but even with modern tech, an ID hasn’t been made.
Why does this matter now? Because the legal battles over the estate and the access to police files keep the story in the courts. It’s a reminder that even with all the money in the world, justice isn’t a guarantee. The $10 million reward is still sitting there, waiting for someone to talk. Honestly, it feels like someone knows something, but they are taking it to the grave.
Breaking Down the Timeline
To understand why this is so stagnant, you have to look at the messy start. The first few days of any investigation are gold, and many feel the TPS dropped the ball early on by misjudging the scene.
| Date | Event | Current Status |
|---|---|---|
| December 15, 2017 | Bodies of Barry and Honey Sherman discovered | Closed Scene |
| January 2018 | Police officially rule it a double homicide | Reclassified |
| November 2021 | “Walking Man” video released to public | Unidentified |
| 2024-2026 | Ongoing litigation regarding estate and warrants | Active Court Matter |
The Cory Fenn Verdict: A Different Kind of Closure
While the Sherman case is a ghost story, the Cory Fenn case is a tragedy of a much louder variety. For those who missed the details during the trial, Fenn was charged with the second-degree murders of Krassimira Pejcinovski, her 15-year-old son Roy, and her 13-year-old daughter Venelia. This happened in Oshawa back in 2018.
This case wasn’t about “who did it.” It was about “why” and whether the person responsible was legally sane. Fenn’s behavior throughout the proceedings was, to put it lightly, a mess. He fired his lawyers, represented himself, and made various claims about his state of mind influenced by drug use.
In the end, the court didn’t buy the “not criminally responsible” angle. The verdict came down hard. Fenn was found guilty. For the surviving family members, especially the eldest daughter who wasn’t home at the time, the verdict provided a legal end, but the emotional scars in Durham Region are still very much open. It’s one of those cases that makes you hug your kids a little tighter.
Common Threads in High-Profile Cases
What connects a billionaire hit in Toronto and a domestic tragedy in Oshawa? It’s the way they capture the collective Canadian attention. We like to think of our country as safe and orderly. When these things happen, it breaks the “Canadian Dream” veneer.
* The role of forensic technology in solving (or failing to solve) crimes.
* The impact of mental health and substance abuse on community safety.
* The massive gap between private investigation and public police resources.
The “Walking Man” and the Digital Trail
Let’s circle back to that “Walking Man” from the Sherman case. In 2026, we are more tracked than ever. Between Ring doorbells, Tesla cameras, and cell tower pings, it’s wild that someone could vanish into the night in a wealthy suburb. The police have analyzed hectares of data. They’ve looked at every single person who logged onto a cell tower in North York that night.
The problem? Barry Sherman had enemies. He was involved in massive litigation with family members and business competitors. Some people think it was a professional hit, executed by someone who knew exactly how to avoid digital footprints. Others think it was someone closer to home. The fact that the police are still asking for tips suggests they are missing that one “smoking gun” piece of evidence.
Justice and the Cost of Investigation
Investigating a case like the Shermans costs millions. The TPS has dedicated a massive task force to this for years. On the other hand, the Fenn trial showed how the court system handles individuals who are clearly struggling but are still held accountable for their actions.
| Feature | Sherman Case | Fenn Case |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Challenge | Lack of suspects/forensics | Mental state/Legal representation |
| Public Sentiment | Frustration with police | Grief and anger |
| Outcome | Unsolved | Life imprisonment |
Why We Can’t Stop Reading
Why are you reading this? Why am I writing it? It’s because we want to believe that the world makes sense. When a billionaire couple is murdered, we want the bad guy caught so we can feel that the “system” works. When a family is taken in Oshawa, we want to see the perpetrator behind bars so we can believe in accountability.
These stories also serve as a mirror to our society. They highlight the wealth gap, the flaws in our mental health support, and the limitations of our police forces. We aren’t just looking for a verdict; we are looking for a reason.
What happens next in the Sherman probe?
The current focus is on the “unsealing” of documents. The media has been fighting to get access to more of the investigative files. Every time a new batch of papers is released, amateur sleuths on Reddit and Twitter go into overdrive. There are theories ranging from international corporate espionage to long-standing family grudges.
What we do know is that the police haven’t given up. They recently reiterated that the case is not “cold,” just “difficult.” For the Sherman children, who have had to deal with both the loss of their parents and the suspicion cast on their family, the wait must be agonizing.
A Look at the Legal Landscape
The Fenn verdict was a significant win for the prosecution. It set a precedent for how courts handle defendants who use “drug-induced psychosis” as a defense. The judge was clear: choosing to use substances doesn’t automatically mean you aren’t responsible for what you do while on them. It’s a harsh reality, but one that many feel is necessary for justice to be served.
1. The defense argued the accused didn’t have the capacity to form intent.
2. The Crown provided evidence of previous behavior and forensic consistency.
3. The jury (or judge in some instances) must balance empathy with the letter of the law.
The Cultural Impact on Ontario
These cases have changed how we look at our neighbors. In North York, security systems saw a massive spike in installations after 2017. In Oshawa, the community gathered for vigils that are still remembered today. It’s a loss of innocence for these neighborhoods.
We see this reflected in the media we consume too. Canadian true crime podcasts are booming. Shows like “The Billionaire Murders” have brought the Sherman story to an international audience. It’s weird to think our tragedies are becoming “content,” but that’s the world we live in. If it keeps the pressure on the authorities to find answers, maybe it’s a good thing.
Could new tech solve the Sherman case?
We are seeing a lot of old cases solved through genetic genealogy. You know, the stuff where they take DNA from a crime scene and run it through sites like Ancestry or 23andMe. While the Sherman scene was “staged,” there is always hope that a stray hair or a skin cell was missed. As technology gets better at pulling DNA from smaller and more degraded samples, the “Walking Man” might finally have a name.
But technology is only as good as the people using it. If the initial collection was flawed, no amount of AI or genetic mapping will fix it. That is the fear-that the secret is locked in a room that was wiped clean before the cops even arrived.
The Human Element
At the end of the day, we are talking about people. Honey Sherman was known for her vibrant personality and her work with the Baycrest Foundation. Barry was a workaholic who built an empire from nothing. The Pejcinovski family were beloved members of their community.
Sometimes the “true crime” label makes us forget the humanity. We focus on the “clues” and the “verdicts” and forget the empty chairs at dinner tables. Whether it’s a high-profile billionaire or a family next door, the weight of the loss is the same.
Who killed the Shermans?
The case is currently unsolved. While there are many theories involving business rivals or family disputes, Toronto Police have not named a specific suspect or made any arrests.
Is there still a reward for the Sherman case?
Yes, the family has offered a $10 million reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction. So far, it remains unclaimed.
What was Cory Fenn’s sentence?
Cory Fenn was sentenced to life in prison with no chance of parole for 25 years. This is the mandatory sentence for second-degree murder convictions in Canada.
Why did it take so long for the Fenn verdict?
The legal process was delayed by several factors, including the accused’s decision to represent himself and various psychiatric assessments to determine his fitness for trial.
Are the Sherman and Fenn cases related?
No, they are entirely separate incidents with no connection other than both being high-profile murder cases in the Greater Toronto Area.
What is the “Walking Man” video?
It is security footage released by Toronto Police showing a person walking near the Sherman residence on the night of the murders. The person’s identity remains a mystery.
Can I read the police files on the Sherman case?
Most files are sealed to protect the ongoing investigation, but Canadian media outlets have successfully sued to have some redacted portions made public.
The Long Road to Peace
It’s hard to wrap your head around how long these things take. Our justice system isn’t fast; it’s a slow, grinding machine. For the people of Canada, these cases are a reminder that the truth is often harder to find than we’d like. We want the neat ending of a TV show, but real life is messy, filled with “active investigations” and “unresolved questions.”
The Cory Fenn verdict gives us a glimpse of what accountability looks like. It’s not a happy ending-there are no happy endings when three lives are gone-but it is a conclusion. The Sherman case, however, remains a gaping wound. Until that “Walking Man” is identified or someone breaks their silence, it will continue to haunt the streets of Toronto.
Honestly, we might never know the full story of what happened on Old Colony Road. But as long as the police keep the file open and the public keeps asking questions, there’s a sliver of hope. And in the world of true crime, sometimes hope is all we’ve got. We’ll keep watching the news, waiting for that one update that finally puts the puzzle pieces together. Stay safe out there, and keep your eyes open. You never know what a small detail might lead to.
