Slain B.C. realtor may have been wrong target

Police in the Vancouver Island community of Saanich say they have several theories in the death of a young realtor in 2008, including the possibility she may have been mistakenly targeted by professional contract killers.

Lindsay Buziak, 24, was stabbed while showing a $1-million home in the Greater Victoria suburb in February 2008.

Police say they believe she was intentionally lured to the home by a couple pretending to be potential buyers, but they still don't know why.

Police have not been able to identify the couple, but investigators do not believe they live in Victoria.

Sgt. Chris Horsley said investigators have several theories, but very few leads.

He said one possibility is it was a professional contract killing, but investigators have no motive for the crime.

"There is nothing in her life and we've conducted an extensive background [check] that would indicate that she was involved in anything criminal, in anything of a domestic violence relationship, and that is the most perplexing thing."

He said it's possible those responsible were trying to send a message to someone else.

It is also possible Buziak's killers were under the mistaken impression she had revealed information she shouldn't have, he said, or perhaps that she was somehow connected to a dangerous person without knowing it.

"You can be a person who just works and minds their own business in Victoria, yet through a very brief network of friends, you could be absolutely connected to people that are involved in very bad things," Horsley said.

"We were reluctant to say all along that maybe she was mistakenly targeted, because then we're telling the people that, 'Hello, you've got the wrong person.'"

He said the possibility that Buziak was mistakenly targeted makes it "a far more complex investigation."

Another theory, he said, is thatthe unidentified couple travel the world killing young realtors.

Horsley said police hope a one-hour special scheduled to air in August on the American television show Dateline NBC will help generate useful tips.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Saanich police at 250-475-4313 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.