Dec. 20/2024 Lindsay Buziak and New DNA Technology
Don’t forget that on the Dateline NBC Dreamhouse Mystery show which aired November 17, 2010, the experts LA Prosecutor Alan Jackson, Homicide Investigator Dwayne Stanton, and Crime Investigator Yolanda McCleary all agreed that Lindsay was targeted in a scheme well thought out and artfully designed. The experts believed that whoever planned Lindsay’s murder was someone she knew, someone who was very close to her, someone in the same business, and possibly in the same office.
Let’s not forget what Saanich Police Inspector Rob McColl had to say on Dateline.
“It’s possible that one of those two people who were at the home is the mastermind behind this and perhaps the money. Equally possible or more likely, there is a 3rd, 4th or 5th person involved. Motive, possibly considerable wrong done to the financier.
It is most difficult to understand why the Saanich Police Department made a public statement clearing the entire Zailo family of any involvement in Lindsay’s murder, less than a week after the Dateline show aired, where the experts all voiced their opinion. Why did Saanich even agree to appear on the show if they had no intentions of trusting what the experts had to say?
Only someone very close to Lindsay could have placed her at 1702 DeSousa house that fateful night.
Not only that, but that someone also had to make certain that there would be no other viewings during the time that Lindsay was showing the home, and the time leading up to Lindsay’s arrival. This in itself screams of either a real estate connection, or someone wanting it to look like there was a real estate connection. It could go either way depending on who the conspirators are. Let’s not forget too, that the murder house just happened to be owned by a good friend of Jasons mother’s boyfriend. There are many people out there who believe members of the Zailo family played a part in conspiring to murder Lindsay.
But if this were true, why in hell would they ever choose to have Lindsay murdered in a home that was listed in their own office? Wouldn’t that point the finger directly at them? On the surface it makes no sense at all, or it could make perfect sense depending on the devious mind of whoever planned Lindsay’s murder. All we can be sure of, is that the mastermind created an artfully designed plan, a scheme that was sure to confuse the investigation and ensure that they would never be caught. So many people over the years tried to misdirect the investigation, thereby making it that much more difficult for the Saanich Police.
Is it possible that someone set Jason up to take the fall – which might implicate his family at the same time?
But why, and if that were true, how did they get Jason to go to SHC Autographx that night? And did someone encourage him to take his friend Cohen with him to the house? Did someone tell him to make sure he was at least 15 minutes late? Did someone tell him when he got to the house not to go in, but to wait outside? Did someone tell him to wait 10 minutes in front of the house, then to move his vehicle out onto Torquay and park in the pull thru beside the house. It was certainly an odd spot to park his Range Rover because his view of the house was then blocked by all the trees/shrubbery. Did someone tell him to lift his friend Cohen over the fence instead of hopping the fence himself? Could Jason be just a victim of circumstance?
After nearly 17 years why are the Saanich Police still referring to Lindsay’s case as an active investigation? Why, after all these years, have the Saanich Police not ruled it a “cold case” and closed the file? One reason that is starting to make sense, is that they know exactly who the conspirators are, and they may even know who the two people are that entered the home that night. It may be that the detectives currently working this case want these guys so badly that they are determined to find enough evidence to put the perpetrators away once and for all. Not only the current investigation team but former detectives like Sgt. Chris Horsley who put his heart and soul into this investigation.
We know that police lie, and that just because they make a statement doesn’t make it true. They may put false information out to the public in hopes of generating new leads, or if asked a question by someone in the general public they may just lie to protect the evidence. I am sure they would give anything to be able to tell the truth about what they know, and it must pain them greatly knowing they are not at liberty to do that. Their silence is critical to ensuring that they do not give the defense any ammunition against them when this murder trial begins.
When arrests finally come down, there will be certain cops that will be recognized for all their years of hard work & dedication to this case. No homicide investigation goes on for years without mistakes being made, slipups, following wrong leads, and whatever else could possibly go wrong. But in the end, if the conspirators and the killers are finally brought to justice none of these things will matter.
Sgt. Chris Horsley is retired from the Saanich Police Department now and is currently working with the Oak Bay Police Department. It doesn’t matter that he is no longer with Saanich, the fact is, he is one of the good guys, and a cop who deserves a great deal of the credit for Lindsay’s case still being active today. So, along the way he told a few lies, but he did it for all the right reasons, and not because he wanted to but because he had to.
Podcast on Investigative Genetic Genealogy (IGG) with retired Sgt. Chris Horsley as one of the guest speakers.
The Saanich Police have always claimed that there was no DNA, forensic evidence found at the crime scene – if that were true how would advancements in genealogy & DNA analysis be of any help in this investigation? Of course they have DNA, it is just not yet identifiable.
In 2021 we heard that new technology has allowed Saanich Police, FBI, RCMP to follow new leads in Lindsay’s murder.
The FBI was introduced to Lindsay’s case many years ago, and although they do not play an active role in the investigation, they act in an advisory capacity to the Saanich Police and have been instrumental in moving the investigation forward. In fact, if it wasn’t for the FBI, Saanich would never have been allowed to submit material/evidence to a US DNA lab. It’s only a matter of time before Saanich will have a DNA match to the two people that entered the DeSousa property. When the killers are finally identified, the conspirators will fall right behind them. With the limited resources that Canada has to offer with DNA testing, it is a blessing that Saanich now has access to far more advanced DNA technology in the US.
Statement made by a forensic DNA expert:
Since there was a lot of blood on Lindsay’s clothing, it will take time to get results because many small samples will need to be tested. This is something that can be accomplished with time and should be done in order to solve this murder. DNA sequencing is inexpensive and rapid these days so there is no excuse not to do a full analysis on every inch of the crime scene evidence that is still available.
In February 2021 Markus Anastasiades, a spokesperson for the Saanich Police Department made this public statement.
Without specifying what those technologies are, Saanich police note advancements in genealogy & DNA analysis have led to the resolution of many cases. “We believe people familiar with circumstances surrounding the case remain in our community. It is sometimes the case that people who may have knowledge initially do not come forward.
Rest assured, we have the ability to filter out innocent people and those whose roles in events were inadvertent. It’s not too late to come forward. “Investigators are reviewing and retesting evidence, including items from the crime scene as well as digital evidence. In recent years, familial DNA has been used as a tool for partial profile matching.
Using DNA sequencing stored in NDDB, CODIS and other databases, (Ancestry.com) a partial match to crime scene evidence can be made. The partial match can then be used as a tool to create or narrow down the list of suspects whose DNA is not stored in NDBB or CODIS. This is where the detective work becomes important. The suspects DNA sample would then be collected and tested against the crime scene evidence to find the match.
Well, that statement by Markus Anastasiades was made in 2021, and here we are now nearly four years later and not another word has been said about DNA by the Saanich Police.
The reason for this just may be because the case is at a very critical point. New leads have been pouring in, new evidence, and just maybe a breakthrough will be soon coming from the US labs. That would be the Christmas wish for sure.
Forensic DNA analysis has become a cornerstone of modern forensic science, revolutionizing how criminal investigations are conducted and how justice is administered.
The ability to extract and analyze DNA from various biological samples, such as blood, hair, skin cells, and saliva, has provided law enforcement agencies an unparalleled tool to link individuals to crime scenes, identify victims, and exonerate the innocent.
1. DNA evidence is often considered the gold standard in the courtroom due to its high specificity and accuracy in identifying individuals.
Despite its transformative impact, traditional DNA analysis methods face limitations, including time-consuming processes, high costs, and vulnerability to contamination and sample degradation. As forensic DNA databases continue to expand and the demand for DNA analysis increases, there is a pressing need for technological innovations that enhance both the efficiency and accuracy of forensic science.
2. As forensic DNA databases continue to expand and the demand for DNA analysis increases, there is a pressing need for technological innovations that enhance both the efficiency and accuracy of forensic science.
Despite its transformative impact, traditional DNA analysis methods face limitations, including time-consuming processes, high costs, and vulnerability to contamination and sample degradation.
Emerging technologies in forensic DNA analysis, such as next-generation sequencing (NGS), rapid DNA analysis, and the integration of artificial intelligence (AI), offer promising solutions to these challenges. These advancements accelerate the speed and precision of DNA analysis and extend its applications, enabling forensic scientists to work with more degraded samples and extract meaningful information from complex DNA mixtures.
However, the adoption of these emerging technologies brings new challenges. Issues related to cost, validation, and personnel training must be addressed before these innovations can be widely implemented. Moreover, the rapid pace of technological advancement raises important ethical and legal questions regarding privacy, the handling of sensitive genetic data, and the admissibility of new forms of DNA evidence in court.
Podcast on Investigative Genetic Genealogy (IGG) with retired Sgt. Chris Horsley as one of the guest speakers.
EMAIL ADDRESS: murderondesousa@gmail.com