The Mysterious Murder of David Buller

How does a killer commit a frenzied, brutal murder in the middle of a bustling university building in broad daylight, and walk away like a ghost?

 This week, we are unlocking the doors of 1 Spadina Crescent a massive, 19th-century gothic fortress with a dark history to explore one of Toronto’s most baffling unsolved cold cases.

​In January 2001, beloved Fine Arts professor and brilliant queer artist David Buller was found slaughtered inside his secluded studio office. With zero DNA left behind, a missing murder weapon, and an eerie silence surrounding the attack, investigators were left with a locked-room mystery that continues to haunt the campus 25 years later. 

We explore the cutthroat world of academia, the chilling foreshadowing found in David's final 1980s and 90s-inspired artwork, and the spatial anomalies of a building that practically helped a killer escape.

Key Takeaways & Visuals

• ​The Crime Scene: The twisting, labyrinth-like layout of 1 Spadina Crescent played a massive role in the killer's ability to escape unseen. Be sure to check our social media for the conceptual floor plan discussed in today's episode.
• ​The Artwork: We highly encourage you to seek out David Buller's incredible portfolio, specifically noting the dark transition his pieces took in his final years.

https://ccca.art/creator/98/

• ​The Village Connection: A chilling look back at how the Church and Wellesley Gay Village, intended as a safe haven, was navigated by predators long before the reign of Bruce McArthur.

​Resources & Links

• ​Visual Deep Dive: Watch the To Catch a Killer documentary episode featuring spatial analysis of the crime scene and expert breakdowns of David's final paintings: Watch Here
• ​Follow the Show: See the crime scene floor plans, teaser images, and episode updates over on our Bluesky and Instagram pages at @HomocidalTendency.

https://linktr.ee/HomocidalTendency

​Call to Action: Do You Have the Missing Piece?

​The $50,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of David Buller's killer remains unclaimed. If you were a student or faculty member at the U of T Fine Arts department in the winter of 2001, a memory you brushed off 25 years ago might be the key to breaking this case wide open.

• ​Contact the Toronto Police Service Homicide Unit: 416-808-7400
• ​Leave an Anonymous Tip via Crime Stoppers: 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or online at www.222tips.com.