Mysterious Cult Linked to Multiple Murders Across the U.S.

Mugshots of six individuals allegedly involved in a criminal network led by the enigmatic figure "Ziz" linked to multiple deaths across three states, as uncovered by the FBI.

Dark Secrets Unravel: Cult Connected to Murders Across Three States

Chapel Hill, North Carolina – A landlord's growing unease over the unusual behavior of his tenants led to an FBI investigation uncovering a shocking trail of violence. At two rental properties in a wooded neighborhood, tenants dressed in long black coats parked box trucks outside, ran power cords into the homes, and kept a stretcher inside. Neighbors observed eerie nighttime walks where figures clad in dark clothing silently held hands.

By the time federal agents searched the premises, one tenant had been fatally shot during a Vermont standoff with U.S. Border Patrol, another was under arrest, and a third—an enigmatic leader known as "Ziz”—had vanished. Authorities have linked this clandestine group to six deaths spanning North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and California.

The Leader Behind the Cult: Who is Ziz?

Jack LaSota, known online as "Ziz," was a computer science prodigy with a background that included an internship at NASA and deep involvement in the rationalist community. In 2016, she began publishing dark, philosophical writings exploring radical ideologies—including an unsettling theory that the human brain's hemispheres hold separate genders and desires, sometimes leading to internal conflict.

LaSota's writings attracted a devoted following, blending rationalist thought with extreme veganism, anarchism, and a justification for violence. Former associates claim that her group, the "Zizians," increasingly embraced a belief system that rationalized illegal actions, including squatting and resisting eviction with force.

The First Signs of Trouble: Protests and a Disappearance

In 2019, LaSota and several followers disrupted an event held by the Center for Applied Rationality in California. The masked demonstrators blocked exits and distributed fliers accusing the organization of misconduct. Authorities arrested several group members, but the case remained unresolved when, in 2022, LaSota was declared dead after reportedly falling overboard in San Francisco Bay. However, her supposed death was later called into question when she resurfaced amid further violent incidents.

A Landlord's Fatal Encounter in California

By late 2022, LaSota and her followers were living in vehicles on the property of Curtis Lind, a landlord in Vallejo, California. When Lind attempted to evict them for non-payment, he was brutally attacked—stabbed with a sword and left partially blinded. In self-defense, Lind shot and killed Emma Borhanian, one of the group's members.

Authorities later charged two other followers, Alexander Leatham and Suri Dao, with Borhanian's murder, claiming they were responsible for the altercation that led to her death. Though police suspected LaSota was present during the attack, she evaded arrest.

A Chilling Double Murder in Pennsylvania

On New Year's Eve 2022, Richard and Rita Zajko were found shot in their Chester Heights, Pennsylvania, home. Surveillance footage captured a vehicle pulling up and a voice crying, "Mom!" followed by terrified screams. Their daughter, Michelle, was questioned but not charged, while LaSota was arrested at a nearby hotel for obstructing law enforcement. She was later released on bail but disappeared before her next court appearance.

Retaliation Strikes: A Key Witness Murdered

As the case against Lind's attackers neared trial, tragedy struck again. On January 17, 2025, Lind was found dead, his throat slashed in what authorities suspect was an effort to silence him. Maximilian Snyder, a known associate of the Zizians, has since been arrested and charged with Lind's murder.

The Deadly Border Patrol Shootout

Just days later, on January 20, U.S. Border Patrol agents in Vermont stopped a vehicle linked to the cult. Before officers could act, the driver, Teresa Youngblut, opened fire, leading to a deadly shootout. The altercation left Border Patrol Agent David Maland and passenger Felix Bauckholt dead. Youngblut was wounded and taken into custody, where she now faces federal charges.

A search of the vehicle revealed tactical gear, night-vision goggles, radios, and a disturbing connection—Youngblut had applied for a marriage license with Maximilian Snyder, the suspect in Lind's murder. The gun used in the Vermont shooting was traced to an individual tied to the Pennsylvania double homicide.

The Hunt for Ziz

Despite a growing body count and multiple arrests, LaSota remains missing. Witnesses claim to have seen her at crime scenes and group hideouts, but she has eluded capture. As authorities widen their investigation, questions remain: What was the ultimate goal of the Zizians? How many more crimes are they linked to? And where is Ziz now?

The FBI continues its search, urging anyone with information to come forward. This unfolding case blurs the line between ideology and violence, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake.