Ottawa, Dec 16 (IANS): Bernard Sherman, one of Canadas most prominent billionaires and community philanthropists, was found dead alongside his wife inside their mansion in Toronto, the media reported.

The police found the bodies of Sherman, the owner of Canadian pharmaceutical firm Apotex, and his wife Honey on Friday evening, after they responded to a "medical complaint", reports CTV news.

"The circumstances of their death appear suspicious and we are treating it that way," police officer David Hopkinson said.

"Our investigators are inside investigating and taking apart the scene."

He declined to say whether the bodies showed signs of trauma and did not provide details on the time or cause of death.

Hopkinson said the deaths are not currently being treated as homicides, adding that more investigation will be necessary.

"There may be suspicious circumstances. It's an investigative tool... Until we know exactly how they died, we treat it as suspicious. Once a determination has been made by the pathologist and the coroner, then we move forward from there."

Ontario Health Minister Eric Hoskins sent a tweet expressing shock at the death of his "dear friends," who he described as "wonderful human beings", CTV news reported

"I am beyond words right now... Incredible philanthropists, great leaders in health care. A very, very sad day."

Sherman founded the Toronto-based Apotex Inc. in 1974 with two employees and gradually turned it into the largest Canadian-owned pharmaceutical company.

Along the way he amassed a vast fortune, recently estimated at $4.77 billion, making him the 15th richest person in the country.