SAANICH, B.C -- A 24-year-old real estate agent was found slain this weekend in a luxury home in suburban Victoria where sources say she had arranged to meet a mysterious buyer who wanted to find a house that very day.
Lindsay Buziak was apparently scheduled to show the home, currently listed in the stately Gordon Head neighbourhood, to a woman some time Saturday afternoon, said a source in her office.
The prospective buyer, who came to Ms. Buziak as a referral, was apparently insistent on buying a million-dollar house before nightfall. That struck Ms. Buziak as odd, said the source, but the agent intended to work with the woman to see whether a home could be found.
The source said Ms. Buziak's boyfriend, Jason Zailo, who also works for Re/Max Camosun, tried to track her down Saturday afternoon. He apparently traced her to the home, but it's unclear whether he arrived before or after police.
More National Stories
- WHERE THEY STAND 8 Each Monday through to election day, The Globe has tried to cut through the campaign rhetoric by examining one issue - and each party's position on it. Our final instalment: The Afghan war and the parties' plans to withdraw troops by 2011
- Leaders make final push in tight race
- Tory minority expected in campaign of 'failure'
- Patients infected by strep feel betrayed by silence over outbreak
- CBC winner scores big - to the tune of $100,000
- Letters show anger of Canadian terrorism suspect
- Go to the National section
Saanich Police Constable Brad Brajcich said the cause of death was not known and he would not say whether a weapon was found in the house. A 911 call was made, but Constable Brajcich would not say who made it or where it came from.
The listed price for the five-bedroom, four-bathroom home is $964,000. The home was unoccupied, having been built only three months ago. It sits on a private street, where three other homes are being built.
Laurie Lidstone, one of the two listing agents for the home, wouldn't comment on whether she knew that Ms. Buziak was showing the house, but she did say "it was standard procedure when you're going to view the house to page the realtor."
Wayne Schrader, owner of the Re/Max Camosun office, said Ms. Buziak had been a real estate agent for "a couple of years." He said the police aren't sharing much information with them, but added that the news of her death had hit everyone really hard.
"All we know is it was very sudden. The only thing we wish to say is our hearts go out to the family right now."
Civilian search and rescue teams were called out to comb the area in what police described as "evidence searches."
Tony Joe, chair of the Victoria Real Estate Board, called it a disturbing crime, one that could have repercussions for the industry.
"It's a grisly reminder, especially for [female realtors], that they need to be concerned for their security."
Mr. Joe, who also knew Ms. Buziak on a personal level, said the killing might alter how real estate agents operate.
"People ask why it takes so long to view a house. You're dealing with people you don't even know, a complete stranger, and you have no idea of their qualifications. There's going to be a lot of scared realtors out there and it may disrupt service."
43