Suspicion: Murder on Mount Olive (Toronto Star)

Who is Chris Sheriffe? Elite soccer player. Aspiring carpenter. Good family. We hear from the people who knew him best, mother, sister, coach. We also learn about his experience growing up as a young Black teen in Toronto – the frequent police stops and his complaint about the most egregious one. He’s in his Catholic school uniform, heading home from class at the end of the day and cops are tailing him for no reason at all. And that new prosecutor, she puts the first degree murder case back on track. 

This Friday, April 4, the second half of Murder on Mount Olive's season starts with episode 6, Bodies To His Name, as well as episode 7, one week early for subscribers. If you haven't heard the first five episodes to date, get caught up with the stories and main players so far, with this short trailer. Or listen to the first half of the season in your feed. 

Kevin Donovan talks about why he decided to look at Chris Sheriffe's case. Hear from him, and catch up on the series so far, while getting a glimpse of the weeks ahead. 

Subscribers get access to episodes one week early. 

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.

In episode eleven of “The Billionaire Murders: The hunt for the killers of Honey and Barry Sherman” Kevin Donovan uses what he knows about the killings to develop his theory of what the killers were after. Nothing was taken, not money, jewelry, and none of Barry’s electronic devices. The plan was to kill both Honey and Barry and stage their bodies.

The Billionaire Murders podcast is probing the strange case of the famous Toronto couple found strangled in their north Toronto home in 2017. For seven years, The Star’s Kevin Donovan has covered the case for the Star, fought court battles to access documents on the police investigation and the Sherman estate, written a best selling book on it and produced a Crave documentary.

Listen for episode 12 this coming Friday, December 20. 

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

Bombshell. On the eve of the murder trial, a young Toronto police officer emerges with two confidential sources, one of them purporting to be a gang member, who tell a very different story about Chris Sheriffe. It throws Chris’s defence team for a loop. And here’s the problem. The judge won’t let the lawyers attack this new information.

Audio: NBC’s Law and Order, CTV, Toronto Police Video

Toronto Star Chief Investigative Reporter Kevin Donovan, who brought you the Billionaire Murders, is back with Murder on Mount Olive, an investigation of a crime the courts closed the book on in 2012. On a sunny day in August, 2009, a man is shot three times at a barbecue. What happens that day will put a budding young soccer star turned carpenter behind bars for life for a crime he says he didn’t commit. This is the story of Christopher Sheriffe and his fight for justice.

Subscribers can listen to episodes early each week, plus get exclusive access to bonus episodes. And be sure to check out the first three seasons of Suspicion.

Season 3, "40 Years Cold"
Looks at a case that began four decades ago, when two women were killed in their Toronto homes. Wendy Gillis and Betsy Powell take you through the nights of the murders, the tragic circumstances of a murderer, and the stunning conclusion of a 40 years long cold case.

Season 2, “The Billionaire Murders: The hunt for the killers of Honey and Barry Sherman”
Probes the case of the famous Toronto couple who were found strangled in their home in 2017. Kevin Donovan covered the Sherman case and fought court battles to access documents on the police investigation.

Season 1, “Death in a Small Town”
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.

Watch or listen to this bonus video footage, where Kevin Donovan sits down with Chris Sheriffe in prison at Collins Bay. Listen to episode 3 of Murder on Mount Olive, Gladiator School, for more from this interview. 

A scientific breakthrough helped catch a notorious American serial killer. Could that same technology be used to catch Susan Tice and Erin Gilmour’s killer? It helps but the Toronto Police are looking for a needle in a haystack. As they get closer, a shocking turn of events upends their plan.

The following episode discusses sexual assault and murder. If you’re impacted by any of our themes, you can reach out to the Canadian Association of Sexual Assault Centres at casac.ca to help you find a centre close to where you live.

Toronto Star subscribers will also get exclusive early access to all episodes on June 17. Non subscribers will get new episodes each Monday. If you are not a Star subscriber, please visit thestar.com/subscribe.

Suspicion seasons 1 and 2, ”Death in a Small Town” and “The Billionaire Murders: The hunt for the killers of Honey and Barry Sherman,” were hosted by Kevin Donovan and are available in this feed. 

Audio sources: CBS Philadelphia, CBC Fifth Estate

Who is Joseph George Sutherland? What would lead him to such depraved acts? In Moosonee, Ontario, we learn of the horrific circumstances that shaped the man and how a close friend was shocked to learn the details of his secret criminal past.

This episode comes with a content warning. In it, we discuss violence, sexual assault and murder. We also discuss the physical, mental, sexual and emotional abuse that survivors experienced in residential schools. If you’re a residential school survivor or a family member of one and you’re finding all of this particularly distressing, there’s the National Indian Residential School Crisis Line that provides 24-hour support, 1-866-925-4419. You can also reach out to the Canadian Association of Sexual Assault Centres at casac.ca to help you find a centre close to where you live.

Toronto Star subscribers will also get exclusive early access to all episodes on June 17. Non subscribers will get new episodes each Monday. If you are not a Star subscriber, please visit thestar.com/subscribe.

Suspicion seasons 1 and 2, ”Death in a Small Town” and “The Billionaire Murders: The hunt for the killers of Honey and Barry Sherman,” were hosted by Kevin Donovan and are available in this feed. 

Audio sources: CTV News Northern Ontario, Global News, CTV Your Morning

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

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

With court decisions in place, do Tice and Gilmour’s families ever find closure? The complicated conclusion of how grief and relief live side by side for everyone involved.

The following episode discusses sexual assault and murder. If you’re impacted by any of our themes, you can reach out to the Canadian Association of Sexual Assault Centres at casac.ca to help you find a centre close to where you live. 

Toronto Star subscribers will also get exclusive early access to all episodes on June 17. Non subscribers will get new episodes each Monday. If you are not a Star subscriber, please visit thestar.com/subscribe.

Suspicion seasons 1 and 2, ”Death in a Small Town” and “The Billionaire Murders: The hunt for the killers of Honey and Barry Sherman,” were hosted by Kevin Donovan and are available in this feed. 

Audio sources: CTV News Northern Ontario, CTV Toronto, Global News

Susan Tice and Erin Gilmour were living separate lives. One, a newly divorced mom of four; the other, in her early 20s with a love of fashion and her life ahead of her. Then something horrific and fatal happened to both of them, something odd to unite them in their death. With no firm leads, the families were left to grieve in utter confusion. The cases went cold, for four decades.

This episode discusses sexual assault and murder. If you’re impacted by any of our themes, you can reach out to the Canadian Association of Sexual Assault Centres at casac.ca to help you find a centre close to where you live.

Toronto Star subscribers will also get exclusive early access to all episodes on June 17. Non subscribers will get new episodes each Monday. If you are not a Star subscriber, please visit thestar.com/subscribe.

Suspicion seasons 1 and 2, ”Death in a Small Town” and “The Billionaire Murders: The hunt for the killers of Honey and Barry Sherman,” were hosted by Kevin Donovan and are available in this feed. 

Audio sources: CityTV, YouTube, Retro Ontario

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

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

The day of the murder from all sides. Chris, Awet Asfaha, two young women — each give a different perspective on the events leading up to Kim Golaub’s brutal murder. What they did. What was said. You’ve heard Chris’s story before, but now at trial Awet comes out with a stunning story. There was someone else that day. A mysterious third man who was the killer. And Chris was the getaway driver, with Awet just along for the ride. This made the case a “cutthroat” defence — fingers pointing in different decisions.

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

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.

On a hot, sunny day in August a man is shot three times. It happens outside a barbecue. Witnesses give different descriptions of the shooter; police flood the area looking for clues. What happens that day will end up putting a young soccer player turned carpenter behind bars for life for a crime he says he didn’t commit. This is the story of Christopher Sheriffe and his fight for justice.

Audio: CTV, Global, Doomstown movie trailer

Suspicion

Chief Investigative Reporter Kevin Donovan, who brought you the Billionaire Murders, is back with Murder on Mount Olive, an investigation of a crime the courts closed the book on in 2012. On a sunny day in August, 2009, a man is shot three times at a barbecue. What happens that day will put a budding young soccer star turned carpenter behind bars for life for a crime he says he didn’t commit. This is the story of Christopher Sheriffe and his fight for justice.

Subscribers can listen to episodes early each week, plus get exclusive access to bonus episodes. 

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

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

On Monday, June 17, the Toronto Star's crime podcast Suspicion launches Season 3, "40 Years Cold."

In 1983, two women – Susan Tice and Erin Gilmour – were killed in their Toronto homes. Despite their efforts, police couldn’t trace any leads and the cases went cold. Then, nearly four decades later, science changed the way police close in on a killer.

In this season of Suspicion, Toronto Star crime reporter Wendy Gillis and court reporter Betsy Powell take you through the nights of the murders, the history that led to them, the science that changed policing, and the stunning conclusion of a decades-long cold case.

Toronto Star subscribers will also get exclusive early access to all episodes on June 17. Non subscribers will get new episodes each Monday. If you are not a Star subscriber, please visit thestar.com/subscribe. 

Suspicion seasons 1 and 2, "Death in a Small Town" and “The Billionaire Murders: The hunt for the killers of Honey and Barry Sherman,” were hosted by Kevin Donovan are available in this feed. 

And please fill out a short survey on your podcast listening habits to enter for a chance to win a $100 Amazon.ca gift card.

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

The forensics. How three bullets killed a man. The gun shot residue. Where it landed and where it didn’t land gives homicide detectives some help, but not much. It turns out the case against Chris Sheriffe and Awet Asfaha is weak. Plus, the police screwed up the evidence collection. Things come to a head at the preliminary hearing, where a judge must decide if the charge of first degree murder – a planned killing – is the correct one. Plus, since Chris was just driving the car, did he really know what was about to happen? A judge said no and the case fell apart. Enter a new prosecutor. It was time for a full court press.

Audio sources: The science of gunshot residue analysis, The Royal Institution

Chief Investigative Reporter Kevin Donovan, who brought you the Billionaire Murders and Death in a Small Town, is back with Murder on Mount Olive, an investigation of a crime the courts closed the book on in 2012. On a sunny day in August, 2009, a man is shot three times at a barbecue. What happens that day will put a budding young soccer star turned carpenter behind bars for life for a crime he says he didn’t commit. This is the story of Christopher Sheriffe and his fight for justice.

Subscribers can listen to episodes early each week, plus get exclusive access to bonus episodes. 

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

Twelve years into his life sentence for murder, Chris Sheriffe is a model prisoner. He’s doing all the courses available behind bars, plus weekly meetings of the prison public speaking club. He does conflict resolution, helping guards and prisoners get along. Which is intriguing, given that Toronto Police labelled him a hard knuckled killer. Also, he calls his Mom several times a day. In an interview at the notorious “Gladiator School” prison, Chris tells his side of the story. How his choice to stay out all night with a young woman, then drive a man home got him labelled a gangster.

Suspicion

Chief Investigative Reporter Kevin Donovan, who brought you the Billionaire Murders, is back with Murder on Mount Olive, an investigation of a crime the courts closed the book on in 2012. On a sunny day in August, 2009, a man is shot three times at a barbecue. What happens that day will put a budding young soccer star turned carpenter behind bars for life for a crime he says he didn’t commit. This is the story of Christopher Sheriffe and his fight for justice.

Subscribers can listen to episodes early each week, plus get exclusive access to bonus episodes. 

Homicide detectives get lucky. The best witness possible, and he’s talking, and he’s got a partial licence plate from a car that left the scene right after Kim Golaub was shot dead. But homicide cops are struggling for a motive. Did someone have a grudge against the victim? Was he in the wrong place at the wrong time? Just a few hours after the murder homicide detectives have two young men in separate interview rooms. Their tactics? Lying to get a confession.

Audio sources: Global, Toronto Police, CTV

Chief Investigative Reporter Kevin Donovan, who brought you the Billionaire Murders and Death in a Small Town, is back with Murder on Mount Olive, an investigation of a crime the courts closed the book on in 2012. On a sunny day in August, 2009, a man is shot three times at a barbecue. What happens that day will put a budding young soccer star turned carpenter behind bars for life for a crime he says he didn’t commit. This is the story of Christopher Sheriffe and his fight for justice.

Subscribers can listen to episodes early each week, plus get exclusive access to bonus episodes. 

The four children of slain billionaires Honey and Barry Sherman squabble over their new-found riches, but only two really want power. Hanging over all of this is the possibility that Honey had a will.

This is the final episode 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: Facebook, CTV, Alex Krawczyk Spotify, Green Storage, Apotex, HBO, NBC News, The One Residences, Bahamas Government, Sicilian Vampire, City News, Bank Hapaolim, Octupus, Baycrest, Sherman Memorial, Brothers for Life, Samfiru Tumarkin LLP, Toronto Police

In episode ten of “The Billionaire Murders: The hunt for the killers of Honey and Barry Sherman” Kevin Donovan examines crime scene photos, including the injuries to Honey’s face, and the interior of the Sherman home to help us understand what happened in the last hour of Barry and Honey Sherman’s lives.  He also looks again at the police mistakes that led them down the murder-suicide path.

The Billionaire Murders podcast is probing the strange case of the famous Toronto couple found strangled in their north Toronto home in 2017. For seven years, The Star’s Kevin Donovan has covered the case for the Star, fought court battles to access documents on the police investigation and the Sherman estate, written a best selling book on it and produced a Crave documentary.

Listen to episode 11 now at thestar.com and episode 12 this coming Friday, December 20. 

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

Coming Friday, March 7, episodes 1, 2 and 3 (for subscribers) will be available for Suspicion Season 4, Murder on Mount Olive.

Toronto Star Chief Investigative Reporter Kevin Donovan, who brought you the Billionaire Murders, investigates a crime the courts closed the book on in 2012. On a sunny day in August, 2009, a man is shot three times at a barbecue. What happens that day will put a budding young soccer star turned carpenter behind bars for life for a crime he says he didn’t commit. This is the story of Christopher Sheriffe and his fight for justice.

Subscribers can listen to episodes early each week, plus get exclusive access to bonus episodes. And be sure to check out the first three seasons of Suspicion.

Season 3, "40 Years Cold"
Looks at a case that began four decades ago, when two women were killed in their Toronto homes. Wendy Gillis and Betsy Powell take you through the nights of the murders, the tragic circumstances of a murderer, and the stunning conclusion of a 40 years long cold case.

Season 2, “The Billionaire Murders: The hunt for the killers of Honey and Barry Sherman”
Probes the case of the famous Toronto couple who were found strangled in their home in 2017. Kevin Donovan covered the Sherman case and fought court battles to access documents on the police investigation.

Season 1, “Death in a Small Town”
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.

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

Chris is out on bail leading up to the trial. Toronto Police show up at his house one night. They end up assaulting his father, arresting his brother, and not long after Chris’s bail is revoked when a new charge is laid against him. Marjorie, Chris’s mom, overhears police officers give an ominous warning about the men in her family and she goes into high gear – she’s in the fight of her life against Toronto’s finest. Then comes another bombshell. That young police officer with the gang information says Chris is the leader of a dangerous gang called “The Hustle Squad.” A gang so mysterious, no members of the elite police Guns and Gangs Squad has ever heard of them.