Barry and Honey Sherman were murdered within a few hours of arriving at their Toronto home on the evening of Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2017.

Insp. Hank Idsinga of the Toronto police homicide unit confirmed to the Star this week that “after considering a number of factors that were uncovered during the investigation,” his detectives have determined the Shermans were murdered on the Wednesday. They were last seen alive in the early evening that day. Their bodies were not found until two days later.

Idsinga would not reveal what the factors are that have allowed police and forensic officers to pinpoint the time of death, saying that to reveal detailed information about the case would jeopardize the homicide probe, now into its third year.

Barry Sherman founded and owned the multibillion-dollar generic drug firm Apotex. He and his wife, Honey, were well-known philanthropists, donating money to large charities and also providing financial assistance to family and friends.

Their date and time of death have been a mystery, as with many aspects of the case. According to friends, business associates and family, the Shermans concluded a meeting at Apotex to discuss construction of their new home at 6:30 p.m. that Wednesday. Honey headed home, stopping to pick up Hanukkah gifts for her grandchildren. Barry stayed at Apotex and sent a last work email of the day to colleagues, including one of his lawyers, at 8:13 p.m. from his work computer, then headed home. Both Shermans were likely home by 9 p.m.

During most of the investigation, police documents filed in court have stated that the Shermans were murdered “on or about Friday, Dec. 15, 2017.” Their bodies were discovered late in the morning that Friday by a real estate agent touring clients through the house, which was for sale.

Something — homicide detectives will not say what — has caused them to pinpoint the time of death as between the time the Shermans arrived home and midnight on Wednesday, Dec. 13.

Their bodies were in a seated position in their basement swimming pool room, held upright by belts around their necks attached to a low railing. Forensic sources have told the Star that it would be difficult to pinpoint a time of death two days later, given that the bodies were found in a humid environment.

Previously, the Star has reported that Honey’s cellphone was discovered in a powder room at the front of the house that her girlfriends say she never used. Barry’s winter gloves and a home inspection report he had promised to bring home were found in a basement hallway, just outside the door exiting the parking garage where his car was later found.

The Star has also learned new details about the Shermans’ plans for that week. According to friends and family it was a typical week filled with the hustle and bustle of a busy couple.

It was Hanukkah, and emails exchanged between Honey, Barry and their daughter Alexandra Krawczyk show plans for a get-together were being discussed. At one point, the get-together was suggested for the Wednesday night.

Beginning on the afternoon of Saturday, Dec. 9, Alexandra emailed her parents: “Hi mom and dad, Would you like to come over on Tuesday or Wednesday evening? We can light the Hannukah candles and maybe you can bring us some egg-free latkas?” Alexandra and her husband, Brad, have two children, one of them a newborn at the time. The “egg-free” suggestion relates to their first child, who has a food allergy. On the email chain is Honey, Barry, Brad and Alexandra.

The next day, Honey emailed the same group, saying: “Both work for me. Barry? Xoxo.”

Then on Monday, Dec. 11, Alexandra emailed the group, suggesting: “Can we say tomorrow? (Tuesday)?”

The next day, Barry emailed the group, acknowledging his daughter’s suggestion with a simple “ok.”

With plans set for a Tuesday dinner at Alexandra and Brad’s house, Honey emailed the group Tuesday afternoon suggesting a new plan: “cld we have channukah on fri? just found some eggless recipes for latkas on the net — cldnt figure out where to find recipes before — cld make them fri in order to celebrate — cld also drop by tues or tomorrow wed — but without latkas — pls let all know what you prefer — also — what shld we do re (a child’s name) re gifts — I have one gift I know he will like — any suggestions? xoxo.”

A few minutes later on the Tuesday, Alexandra replied to the group, saying: “Can we hold off on tonight’s (Tuesday) visit and just see you on Friday? We are looking forward to it and thank you so much for making egg free latkas, I know it is a hassle and it means a lot to us — thank you!”

Honey responds a few minutes later, “no problem — any gift suggestions?????? have a clear ball that lights up when you bounce it.” Alexandra responds, saying: “Wow! He will love it! Thank you!”

Honey confirms the plans later in the day on Tuesday, writing to the group: “we will b there at 6 will b bringing latkas, presents, dessert that (child’s name) can eat.”

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The Tuesday emails are the last on the chain. The Star has previously reported that on the Friday when the bodies were discovered, Honey had arranged for her housekeeper to be at the Shermans’ Old Colony Road to help her make latkes for the dinner that night.

The Shermans also had plans for that weekend, including dinner in Toronto with old friends on the Sunday, and a Hanukkah brunch with the parents of the man their daughter Kaelen was engaged to.

It was this series of plans, and others, well documented in emails among family and friends, that caused so many people to react angrily to the initial notion that their deaths were murder-suicide. That changed six weeks into the investigation following revelations of the work by the family’s own pathologist.

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