World Headlines: What remains a mystery five years after the Sherman murders

First Up

By Manuela Vega

Good morning. Liberal MP Jim Carr has died at 71. Here’s what we know about the “genuinely lovely guy” and former minister under Justin Trudeau.

Here’s the latest on the Sherman murders, the federal byelection results and a top-up for renters.

DON’T MISS

Supplied Photo/Sherman Family

star investigation

Five years later, inside the Barry and Honey Sherman murders

The news of the deaths of the billionaire philanthropists sent shock waves through Toronto’s business and philanthropic community. Even more grim than the news of their deaths was the theory that Barry killed his wife Honey and then took his own life. It wasn’t until five weeks later, when the Star published details of a private autopsy arranged by the Sherman family, that it became known the couple had been bound while alive, changing the police theory to a “targeted” double homicide, Kevin Donovan reports. Five years have passed and the cops say the case is still active. Here’s what police documents and interviews conducted by the Star reveal about the Shermans, the people in their lives and the drama that tore apart a family.

Go deeper: The case is not just about two wealthy and charitable murder victims, Kevin writes. It’s about whether or not police and pathologists in Toronto can get this investigation right — and what their work in such a high-profile case reveals about those that fly under the radar.
More: The Shermans’ son has raised the reward for information from $10 million to $35 million.

Canadian Press/Nathan Denette

federal politics

Liberal Charles Sousa declares victory in Mississauga-Lakeshore byelection

In a federal byelection seen as a stress test for the two main federal party leaders, a former Ontario Liberal finance minister came out on top, Stephanie Levitz reports. Charles Sousa was leading the vote count over Conservative contender Ron Chhinzer early on and held onto it throughout the night Monday. Here’s more on the incoming MP and what you need to know about the election results.

More: In the first electoral contest under Conservative party leader Pierre Poilievre, who was elected in September and promised to attract new voters, the Liberals held onto the riding despite tepid national support.
Wait, what? The byelection was called in November after Liberal MP Sven Spengemann resigned the seat in May to take a job with the United Nations.

Paige Taylor White/The Star

personal finance

Renters can now apply for a one-time benefit of $500

As of Monday, the federal government is accepting applications for a lump sum payment in the face of record-high inflation and skyrocketing rental prices, Ivy Mak reports. Approximately 1.8 million people in Canada are eligible, meeting the numerous criteria laid out by the government. Here’s a breakdown of who is eligible — and everything else you need to know about the benefit.

Meanwhile: Canadian household debt levels plus interest rates hikes could now spark a recession. Here’s how one expert says the numbers could wreak havoc on household finances.
By the numbers: The average cost of renting a two-bedroom apartment in Toronto rose 24 per cent in a year to $3,300 as of October. Take a closer look at recent prices.

WHAT ELSE

Former Blue Jays pitcher T.J. House is now the third former MLB player to come out as gay — and is “finally healing.”

Doug Ford didn’t want to talk about a national crisis during the “Freedom Convoy.” What’s the difference with health care?

Facing a wave of armed robberies, Ontario pharmacies are looking to time-delay safes for narcotics. Here’s what we know.

Allowing people to die from a lack of emergency care is a policy choice. Here are two ways to start addressing the crisis.

A Toronto boy, 17, was in the “wrong place at that time” when he was killed in a random shooting, police say.

Lower gas prices won’t last, experts say. Here’s when they’re likely to shoot up again and by how much.

Games, LED lights and friendly faces: This is the new safe space that youth workers have opened for Malvern teens.

An Imam was left “traumatized” from an alleged assault at a Scarborough mosque.

A Florida judge is officially dumping Donald Trump’s lawsuit over the Mar-a-Lago raid.

Christmas calls for cookies — try your hand at these updated classics.

POV

Canadian Press/Cole Burston

The mayor’s new housing plan is a trap. Toronto councillors shouldn’t take the bait.

CLOSE-UP

Julia Nikhinson/AP Photo

NEWTOWN, CONNECTICUT: Photos of Dylan Hockley, Mary Sherlach and Daniel Barden hang in the Sandy Hook Promise Foundation offices on Monday, Dec. 5, 2022. The three were among the 20 first graders and six educators killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School. Ten years later, grief remains but hope grows.

Thank you for reading. You can reach me and the First Up team at firstup@thestar.ca. I’ll see you back here tomorrow.

Become a Star subscriber and save!

Best offer of the year: 12 months for $12

Get This Offer

If you're not enjoying these emails, please tell us how we can make them better by emailing newsletterfeedback@thestar.ca. Or, if you'd prefer, you can unsubscribe from this newsletter by clicking the first link below.