Canadian B.C. real estate agent killed while showing home

Louise Dickson, Times Colonist

Published: Sunday, February 03, 2008

Police in suburban Saanich were searching for the person who killed Lindsay Buziak, a 24-year-old real estate agent with Re/Max Camosun.

Police found Ms. Buziak's body about 6 p.m. Saturday in a new home listed for sale. Police raced to the empty house after they received a 911 call asking them to check on someone inside.

"We didn't know what was happening. Then we quickly realized it was a little more serious," said Const. Brad Brajcich.

The 911 call is now "a very important part of the investigation," said Const. Brajcich.

Police are not saying how Ms. Buziak died, however Const. Brajcich confirmed the death is being investigated as a homicide. So far, officers have no suspects and no one was in custody as of Sunday night.

So far, police have said there's no evidence to show Ms. Buziak was targeted because of her occupation. But rumours are circulating in the real estate community that a number of people at the office knew Ms. Buziak had a really bad feeling about an appointment made Saturday afternoon.

Agent Laurie Lidstone, who shares the listing for the $964,900 house with Nancy DiCastri, said the buyer never called either of them for an appointment.

"It really makes you wonder," said Ms. Lidstone. "Someone specifically called this girl to show a vacant house. It sounds pre-planned. It sounds pre-meditated."

In a phone call from Calgary, Ms. Buziak's distraught father Jeff said "someone phoned Lindsay to show a house and they killed her."

Family and friends are reeling from her death. Jeff Buziak was to fly to Victoria last night to be with Lindsay's mother Evelyn Reitmayer and Lindsay's sister Sara, who is flying in from the Cayman Islands.

"She was the most beautiful girl you could ever meet," said Mr. Buziak. "I miss her so much. I love her so much. Lindsay was vibrant, full of life, loved by everybody. She had oodles of friends. She was so focused on her career. She thought it was the greatest thing. She was a tremendous young woman."

Mr. Buziak, who has a career in industrial real estate in Calgary, said his daughter wasn't following in his footsteps.

"She found what she loved and that's what she wanted to do."

Ms. Buziak was among the youngest of the 1,300 real estate agents working in the region.

Chris Markham, president-elect of the Victoria Real Estate Board, estimated that fewer than 20 real estate agents would be under 25 years old.

Staff and agents at the Re/Max Camosun office were instructed not to comment to the media about the incident.

Wayne Schrader, who owns the office, simply said: "Everyone in the office is shell-shocked and our thoughts are with Lindsay's family."

Ms. Buziak reportedly was dating someone who also worked in the industry.

When police realized they were dealing with a violent crime Saturday, they immediately cordoned off the area, blocking all access to the scene.

The street was still blocked Sunday as police officers went door to door, interviewing residents on the normally quiet neighbouring streets. Drivers, walkers and joggers were prevented from making their way down the block. Police expect to be on site for the next 48 hours.

Saanich's emergency command bus, patrol cars and unmarked cars were parked on the street outside the brown two-storey home. Forensic identification experts in white jumpsuits and the coroner arrived at the scene. The young woman's body was eventually removed from the house.

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