Who are the Zizians?
Authorities are currently investigating the Zizians, a secretive group that has been linked to multiple violent crimes across the United States. The group’s alleged interest in artificial intelligence and their connection to several deaths have raised concerns among law enforcement and the public.
Reports describe the Zizians as a “highly educated, AI-obsessed vegan” group. Their origins are traced to the rationalist community in Berkeley, California. Prosecutors have linked the Zizians to at least six violent deaths across the country including Pennsylvania, Vermont, and California.
The Zajko Murder Case
The Zizians first came to the attention of authorities following the December 31, 2022, murder of Richard and Rita Zajko in their Chester Heights, Pennsylvania home. Their daughter, Michelle Zajko, became a person of interest due to her connections with individuals associated with the group. She was questioned but refused to cooperate and later fled from a Pennsylvania State Police barracks, leaving behind her vehicle and a significant amount of cash, according to NBCNews.com.
Despite the passage of nearly two years, the case remained unsolved until recent developments. The Zizians’ alleged leader, Jack “Ziz” LaSota, was arrested in Maryland alongside Michelle Zajko and another associate on trespassing and weapons charges. A prosecutor revealed in the court proceedings that they were part of a group “tied to multiple homicides that have occurred across the United States.”
A Trail of Violence
The Zizians have been connected to a string of violent incidents throughout the United States:
- January 2024 (Vermont): Ophelia Bauckholt and Teresa Youngblut, two Zizian members, were involved in a shootout with Border Patrol agents. Agent David Maland was killed, Bauckholt was also killed in the exchange, and the other associated was wounded and later arrested.
- 2022 (California): A samurai sword attack resulted in the death of a Zizian member when the intended victim, an elderly man, fought back in self-defense.
- Early 2024 (California): Curtis Lind, the survivor of the samurai attack, was fatally stabbed outside his home. A Zizian member has since been charged in his murder.
Ongoing Investigations and Concerns
The Zizians, who present themselves as intellectuals focused on existential threats like artificial intelligence, are now under scrutiny for their alleged involvement in multiple violent crimes across the United States. Authorities continue to investigate the group’s organizational structure, motivations, and the full extent of its influence.
For the families of the victims, the quest for justice remains ongoing. As a family friend of the Zajkos expressed, “We still have no answers… Hopefully, there will finally be justice for Rich and Rita.”
