Lindsay Elizabeth Buziak was a twenty-four-year-old real estate agent working in Saanich, a suburb of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. Known for her ambition, charm, and intelligence, Lindsay was quickly making a name for herself in the real estate industry. At the time of her death, she was in a serious relationship with Jason Zailo, the son of a wealthy and successful real estate family and a fellow agent.
In late January 2008, Lindsay received a call from a woman with a strong foreign accent who claimed to be looking for a million-dollar home in the Victoria area.
The caller mentioned a tight timeframe, stating she and her husband were moving to town quickly and needed to make a purchase soon. Lindsay found the request suspicious, both because of the unusual accent, which she believed was fake, and the fact that the woman said she got Lindsay’s number from a former client whose name Lindsay didn’t recognize.
Despite her concerns, Lindsay’s boyfriend Jason encouraged her to meet the woman for a private showing, telling Lindsay it would likely lead to a substantial commission.
On the afternoon of February 2nd, 2008, Lindsay had arranged to show a newly built home on De Sousa Place in the upscale neighborhood of Gordon Head. The house was vacant and staged, ideal for a walkthrough. Because of her unease with the situation, Lindsay asked her boyfriend, Jason, to be nearby for support.
Lindsay and Jason ate at a restaurant together before the appointment, leaving the establishment at four-twenty-four p.m. Lindsay then went home in her own car to change her clothes, while Jason took his vehicle to a nearby auto repair shop to pick up a work colleague. Jason was running late, but he texted Lindsay several times to let her know he was on his way.
According to reports, Lindsay met the couple at the property at around five-thirty p.m. Witnesses saw a man and woman—both dressed in business attire—approach the house. The man was white with dark hair, and stood about six feet tall. The woman was blonde and wore a distinctive patterned dress.
About ten minutes after Lindsay entered the home with them, Jason Zailo and his colleague arrived outside the house. They waited for a short time, then Jason texted Lindsay but received no response. Eventually, they approached the front door and found it locked. Looking through the windows, they saw Lindsay’s shoes inside, but no sign of movement.
Jason and his colleague went around to the back of the house and found the patio door wide open. Jason called 911 to tell them that he and his friend were entering the house and to come right away because something was clearly very wrong.
Jason and his colleague eventually found Lindsay’s body upstairs in the master bedroom, lying face down in a pool of blood. She had been stabbed multiple times, and the scene showed no signs of robbery or sexual assault. It was also clear that the killer or killers had surprised Lindsay, probably attacking her from behind, as she bore no defensive wounds. The nature of the attack suggested a targeted, personal killing.
The Saanich Police Department launched an extensive investigation, supported by outside agencies, but despite their efforts, the case stagnated with no arrests made. Detectives believed the murder was not a random act and was likely organized by more than one person. The woman who called Lindsay used a burner phone purchased under a fake name, which was activated and deactivated within a short period, making it difficult to track.
Several theories about the mysterious crime have emerged over the years. Due to the calculated nature of the slaying, for example, many believe Lindsay was the victim of a professional hit. The killers managed to leave no forensic evidence, the house was wiped of fingerprints, and the phone used to lure her was untraceable.
Some speculation has also connected the crime to Lindsay’s past social circle, including individuals involved in drug trafficking. In late 2007, Lindsay had reportedly contacted a friend in law enforcement about witnessing something “she shouldn’t have seen,” though the details of that conversation remain unclear.
Still others speculate that someone with a personal grudge against Lindsay orchestrated the murder. Her boyfriend Jason Zailo was extensively investigated and cleared by police, as CCTV footage showed he was still at the automotive shop at the time of the slaying. He also easily passed a polygraph test.
Members of Zailo’s family were also scrutinized, as they had ties to the neighborhood where Lindsay was killed, but police have stated that none of Jason’s relatives are considered suspects either. It’s also been hypothesized that someone familiar with Lindsay’s work, perhaps a colleague, may have perpetrated the crime for some unknown motive.
The case has drawn widespread media coverage, including episodes on shows such as Dateline NBC, 20/20, and Crime Watch Daily. Lindsay’s father, Jeff Buziak, has been one of the most vocal advocates for justice. He maintains a public campaign to keep his daughter’s case in the spotlight, including maintaining a website and organizing annual walks for justice in Victoria.
In 2021, Saanich Police said they had made progress using advanced DNA analysis and were working with the FBI, but no arrests have been announced as of 2025. Investigators still believe someone in the community knows the truth and have renewed appeals for information.
Crime Immemorial 