Community shows support for Nanaimo coffee shop after death of family member

Donations are pouring in to support a family-owned coffee shop in Nanaimo after 79-year-old Eric Kutzner was found dead inside the business last weekend.

Kutzner was found dead inside the Buzz Coffee House on Feb. 12, 2022.

“Eric was a smiling face at the Buzz Coffee House every day in the morning, coming in to make sure we had fresh muffins and almond croissants,” the statement from his family reads.

“He truly cared about his family and friends and made new friends everyday in his travels around Nanaimo. His family misses him terribly.”

A GoFundMe has been started for Kutzner’s family by a staff member at the coffee shop. Over $12,000 has already been raised for the family.

The fundraiser hopes to be able to cover any costs so that the family won’t have to worry during their time of mourning.

“I am an employee of the Buzz and I am writing this on behalf of all of the staff,” says the fundraiser.

“These are truly such wonderful people and we want to do everything we can as a community to help them through this.”

Police said they believe Kutzner’s death was a “random incident with a tragic outcome.”

A suspect, 29-year-old James Turok, was arrested at the scene when police arrived. He faces a charged of second-degree murder.