Trans vegan cult member linked to Vermont border agent killing was person of interest in parents’ murders

A Tragic Series of Events: Unraveling the Mystery of the Zizian Group

In early January 2023, a quiet Pennsylvania neighborhood was shaken when the bodies of 72-year-old Richard Zajko and his 69-year-old wife, Rita, were discovered during a wellness check at their Chester Heights Borough home. The Delaware County Medical Examiner’s Office later confirmed that the couple had been murdered on December 31, 2022. The case remains unsolved, with the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) actively investigating it over a year later. A firearm found at the scene has been linked to a person of interest in a separate but equally tragic incident—the January 2025 shooting of U.S. Border Patrol Agent David Christopher Maland. This connection has brought attention to a mysterious group known as the "Zizians," a transgender, vegan cult linked to at least six homicides.

The Zizian group, whose motivations and goals remain unclear, includes individuals like Michelle Zajko, the daughter of Richard and Rita, who has been connected to the firearm found in the vehicle of two other suspects, Teresa Youngblut and Felix "Ophelia" Bauckholt, after Maland’s killing. The PSP confirmed that the weapon used in the border agent’s murder was purchased by a person of interest in the Zajko murders, tying the two cases together in a web of violence and intrigue. On January 20, 2025, during a routine traffic stop in Coventry, Vermont, Maland was fatally shot. Youngblut and Bauckholt were in the vehicle and opened fire on the agent. Bauckholt was killed in the ensuing gunfire, while Youngblut was taken into custody and charged with weapons offenses. The incident brought national attention to the Zizian group, whose members reportedly adhere to radical ideologies ranging from veganism to transgenderism and artificial intelligence.

The Zizians, led by 34-year-old Jack Lasota, have been linked to multiple violent crimes. Lasota, along with Michelle Zajko, was recently arrested in Maryland on charges including trespassing, obstructing and hindering, and possession of a handgun in a vehicle. Lasota’s attorney, Daniel McGarrigle, emphasized that his client is innocent until proven guilty, stating that the government must bear the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Despite these legal proceedings, the group’s influence and motivations remain shrouded in mystery, leaving investigators and the public struggling to understand how such a violent path was chosen by its members.

The Zajko murders and the killing of Agent Maland are just two pieces of a larger puzzle involving the Zizian group. The group’s online writings reveal a blurry ideological landscape that spans radical veganism, transgender identity, and even artificial intelligence. While the exact purpose of the group is unclear, its connection to at least six homicides has raised alarms about the dangers of extremist ideologies, even those that may seem unconventional. The Zizians’ beliefs, while eclectic, appear to have driven their members to violence, leaving law enforcement and the public grappling with how such a group could operate under the radar for so long.

As the investigations continue, the Zizian case serves as a stark reminder of the complexities of modern crime. The intersection of radical ideologies, personal identity, and violence raises questions about how individuals become radicalized and what role leaders like Jack Lasota may play in shaping their followers’ actions. The case also highlights the challenges law enforcement face in tracking and prosecuting groups that operate in the shadows, blending into society while harboring dangerous intentions. Meanwhile, the families of the victims, including the Zajkos and Agent Maland, continue to seek justice and answers as they mourn the loss of their loved ones.

In addition to the ongoing legal proceedings, the Zizian case has sparked broader conversations about the influence of extremist groups and the need for greater awareness of radical ideologies, regardless of how unconventional they may seem. As more details emerge about the group’s activities and motivations, the hope is that lessons can be learned to prevent similar tragedies in the future. For now, the Zizian group remains a chilling example of how violence can emerge from the most unexpected places, leaving behind a trail of devastation and unanswered questions.