It could happen to you
Kevin Donovan’s conversation with Canada’s Dean of lawyers who advocates for the wrongfully convicted. James Lockyer talks about the new federal plan that could one day free Chris Sheriffe.
May 23, 2025•17 min
Suspicion: Murder on Mount Olive
Suspicion is the Toronto Star’s investigative true crime podcast. In season 4, 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.
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.
Suspicion season 1, Death in a Small Town, was also hosted by Donovan. 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.
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Episodes
Smokescreen
There can be problems when using confidential informants and hearsay evidence, especially when a man’s freedom is at stake. Lawyer Dean Embry’s conversation with Kevin Donovan provides a back story for our Murder on Mount Olive investigation.
May 16, 2025•24 min
Colour Blinded
In this bonus episode, we hear a top cop’s story of being Black and on the job in one of Canada’s biggest police forces. Listen to Keith Merith’s conversation with Kevin Donovan, providing a back story for our Murder on Mount Olive investigation.
May 09, 2025•37 min
Choices
It’s now been 13 years. Chris reflects on decisions he made. The friends he had. Staying out that hot night in August instead of going home. And on what he would do if he is ever released. In the final episode of the series, we offer him a potential lifeline. Tell us what really happened between you and Awet, what he said, what he was planning to do that day. Surely this was a drug deal gone wrong.
May 02, 2025•31 min•Season 4Ep. 10
Trial and Error
A trial scheduled for one month becomes two. The Judge is not pleased. It’s now down to 12 jurors to determine Chris and Awet’s fate – but the lone Black juror gets sick so now it’s 11. Among the evidence the jury hears: false DNA evidence that’s not corrected; a transcription of Chris’s own words that is incorrect and not corrected; and the recollections of two police officers whose notes are strikingly similar. And then the jury comes in. At the end of the day, Chris knows that if he had stepp...
Apr 25, 2025•53 min•Season 4Ep. 9
The Third Man Theory Rocks Trial
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 differ...
Apr 18, 2025•39 min•Season 4Ep. 8
Two Down, One To Go
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 informati...
Apr 11, 2025•34 min•Season 4Ep. 7
Why did Kevin Donovan investigate this case?
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.
Apr 10, 2025•4 min
Bodies To His Name
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
Apr 04, 2025•36 min•Season 4Ep. 6
The Story So Far...
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.
Apr 03, 2025•3 min
Playing For Your Country
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 t...
Mar 28, 2025•25 min•Season 4Ep. 5
Where's The Gun?
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 kno...
Mar 21, 2025•42 min•Season 4Ep. 4
Gladiator School
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...
Mar 15, 2025•33 min•Season 4Ep. 3
Video: Kevin Donovan talks with Chris Sheriffe behind bars
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.
Mar 13, 2025•2 min
The Hunt
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 Polic...
Mar 07, 2025•49 min•Season 4Ep. 2
The Crime
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 brough...
Mar 07, 2025•32 min•Season 4Ep. 1
A second sneak peak: Suspicion Season 4, Murder on Mount Olive
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...
Mar 06, 2025•1 min
Suspicion returns March 7 with Season 4, Murder on Mount Olive
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...
Mar 03, 2025•1 min
S2 The Billionaire Murders | E12 Domestic Troubles and More
In episode 12 of “The Billionaire Murders: The hunt for the killers of Honey and Barry Sherman” Kevin Donovan is joined by producer Raju Mudhar, as the two examine where the case is now and where it might go. But before that, voice actors read emails exchanges that took place between Barry, Honey and others that could show signs of a contentious household. The Billionaire Murders podcast is probing the strange case of the famous Toronto couple found strangled in their north Toronto home in 2017....
Dec 27, 2024•23 min•Season 2Ep. 12
S2 The Billionaire Murders | E11 Gift Bags and Blood Stains Part 2
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 sev...
Dec 20, 2024•30 min•Season 2Ep. 11
S2 The Billionaire Murders | E10 Gift Bags and Blood Stains Part 1
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...
Dec 14, 2024•30 min•Season 2Ep. 10
S3 40 Years Cold | E4 The Impact
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. No...
Jul 08, 2024•36 min•Season 3Ep. 4
S3 40 Years Cold | E3 The Killer
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...
Jul 01, 2024•36 min•Season 3Ep. 3
S3 40 Years Cold | E2 The Science
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 cen...
Jun 24, 2024•41 min•Season 3Ep. 2
S3 40 Years Cold | E1 The Victims
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...
Jun 17, 2024•34 min•Season 3Ep. 1
Introducing Suspicion Season 3, 40 Years Cold
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, th...
Jun 10, 2024•1 min
S2 The Billionaire Murders | E9 Succession
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 t...
May 26, 2023•34 min•Season 2Ep. 9
S2 The Billionaire Murders | E8 Perfect Storm
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 ye...
May 19, 2023•29 min•Season 2Ep. 8
S2 The Billionaire Murders | E7 Pointing Fingers
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...
May 12, 2023•46 min•Season 2Ep. 7
S2 The Billionaire Murders | E6 Family Matters
All the money in the world can’t buy happiness and the home of Honey and Barry Sherman tells that story. Honey was tough on the kids. Barry was a soft touch. Riches were doled out unevenly and there was division over each other’s lives. Then there were the four cousins who went after Barry in the courts. This is episode six 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 ...
May 05, 2023•33 min•Season 2Ep. 6
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