Toronto police suspect a billionaire pharmaceutical magnate may have killed his wife before taking his own life in a murder-suicide that has rocked Canada.

Barry Sherman, the founder of Canadian firm Apotex Ince, and his wife Honey, were found dead in the basement of their lavish mansion in an affluent neighborhood.  

Two bodies covered in blankets were removed from the home and loaded into an unmarked van on Friday evening.

A realtor agent showing off the house to potential buyers discovered them hanging from rails, side-by-side, next to their indoor swimming pool, reports suggest.

Their deaths have stunned the country, and has prompted an outpouring of grief from prominent businessman and even a tribute from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Sherman, who would have turned 76 next month and was worth $3.2billion, and his wife, were well known for their generosity and gave millions to charity.

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Honey and Barry Sherman, Chairman and CEO of Apotex Inc., are shown at the annual United Jewish Appeal (UJA) fundraiser in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, August 24, 2010

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Homicide detectives later told reporters gathered outside the home that there were no signs of forced entry

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The Shermans recently listed their luxury home situated in an affluent Toronto neighborhood  for sale for nearly $5.4 million

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Sherman, who would have turned 76 next month, and his wife, were well known for their generosity and gave millions to charity

'The circumstances of their death appear suspicious and we are treating it that way,' said Constable David Hopkinson. 

Homicide detectives later told reporters gathered outside the home that there were no signs of forced entry.

However, sources working close to the investigation told the Toronto Sun that it may have been a murder-suicide.

They believe Honey could have been killed in a different location at the sprawling property on Old Colony Rd.

She was then moved to the spot where she was found with her husband. 

Their neighbors, business associates and some of Canada's most powerful politicians said they were saddened by the deaths.

'Our condolences to their family & friends, and to everyone touched by their vision & spirit,' Prime Minister Justin Trudeau wrote on Twitter.

Toronto Mayor John Tory said in statement he was 'shocked and heartbroken' to learn of the deaths, noting that the couple had made extensive contributions to the city. 

'Toronto Police are investigating, and I hope that investigation will be able to provide answers for all of us who are mourning this tremendous loss,' Tory said. 

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Police tape and patrol cars surround the home of Apotex founder Barry Sherman and wife, Honey Sherman after they were found dead

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A realtor showing off the house to potential buyers discovered them hanging from rails, side-by-side, next to their indoor swimming pool (above), reports suggest

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Canadian Seantor Linda Frum shared a picture of her with the pair at a recent ceremony 

Their deaths have stunned the country, and has prompted an outpouring of grief from prominent businessman and even a tribute from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau 

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The couple recently put the house on the market for $5.4million

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An unidentified woman who delivered flowers at the home of Apotex founder Barry Sherman and wife, Honey Sherman, is escorted away by police

The Shermans recently listed their home for sale for nearly C$7 million ($5.4 million). 

It has five bedrooms, nine bathrooms, two swimming pools and space for 14 cars. 

There is also a sauna, hot tub and tennis courts.  

A real estate agent discovered the bodies in the basement while preparing for an open house, the Toronto Globe and Mail reported, citing a relative.

Sherman, 75, founded privately held Apotex in 1974, growing it by introducing large numbers of low-cost generic drugs that took market share from branded pharmaceuticals.

He stepped down as chief executive in 2012 but remained executive chairman.

Forbes has estimated Sherman's fortune at $3.2 billion.

Apotex is the world's No. 7 generic drugmaker with 11,000 employees and annual sales of more than C$2 billion in more than 45 countries, according to its website.

The couple was known for their philanthropy, giving tens of millions of dollars to hospitals, universities and Jewish organizations, CBC reported.

'They were extremely successful in business, but also very, very giving people,' former Ontario Premier Bob Rae told CBC. 'It's going to be a very, very big loss.'

The Globe and Mail reported in February that Lobbying Commissioner Karen Shepherd was investigating a complaint about a 2015 political fundraiser that Trudeau had attended. 

Sherman was born in Toronto, Canada in 1942 and was the youngest to ever enter into the University of Toronto's Engineering Science program at age 16. 

Sherman later won Canada's prestigious Governor General's Awards for his graduating thesis and went on to earn a Doctoral degree at MIT in rocket engineering, according to Forbes.  

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Apotex is the world's No. 7 generic drugmaker with 11,000 employees and annual sales of more than C$2 billion ($1.55 billion)  in more than 45 countries

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The sprawling home (backyard pictured) has five bedrooms, nine bathrooms, two swimming pools and space for 14 cars

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There is also a sauna, hot tub and tennis courts on the property in the lavish neighborhood

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The front of the house is seen without the police tape and patrol cars outside