The great-uncle of the realtor slain while showing a new home near Victoria, who is also a retired RCMP officer, says he thinks Lindsay Buziak was set up.
Gus Buziak, 75, worked in homicide as part of a 30-year career in the RCMP, told CTV News that investigators have to catch her killer before he strikes again.
"Let's face it, this is probably not the first crime he has committed," said Buziak from his home in Alberta.
"She was a pretty young lady, and he saw her picture in the paper. I think he called her and she came to the house.
"It's probably not his first time and it's probably not his last time," he said. "I hope to God they get him before he strikes again."
Lindsay Buziak was found dead in a new million-dollar home in Saanich that was listed by her employer, Re/Max, on Saturday night. Saanich police are investigating the death as a homicide.
One friend, Vicky Mackie, told CTV that she had "a bad feeling" before answering a call to the house from a potential buyer.
"I'm in complete, utter shock," said Mackie. "Even right now it doesn't seem like reality, it seems like a bad dream that I'll wake up and she'll be here."
Police were called to the scene by an anonymous 9-1-1 call, but police would not say who it was from, adding that finding out who made it would be a key factor in the investigation.
The death has caused realtors to examine their own safety regulations, especially for women visiting houses alone with buyers.
The Greater Vancouver Real Estate Board is encouraging agents to take steps to ensure their safety:
- Introduce the client to someone in your office
- Jot down their car description and license plate
- Use your own car to get to a property
- Check all rooms and determine escape routes
- Make sure doors are unlocked
- Use a code word in a potentially dangerous situation
- Trust your instincts
- Have someone from your office, relative or friend stay with you
- Call the police if you are suspicious
Realtor Bo Choi said that realtors get guarded after incidents, but after some time let their guard down.
"With the market being so busy we tend to be less cautious with the showing of property," she said.
Gus Buziak said despite dealing with death during his career as a police officer, he was completely unprepared for news of the death of a family member.
"I was involved in investigations," he said. "But when it hits this close to home, it's a different story.
"She was a beautiful, young girl, just trying to make a living," he said. "The family is just broken up. It's so sad."
With a report from CTV British Columbia's Jim Beatty and Rob Brown