Officials link group to nationwide murder spree, arrest alleged ringleader

• Federal and state officials have linked the Zizians group to five homicides in multiple states, including the death of a U.S. Border Patrol agent. The group met online through shared beliefs.
• Jack Amadeus LaSota, the alleged ringleader, was arrested with Michelle Zajko in Maryland.
• LaSota was previously declared dead in 2022 after disappearing at sea.

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A series of murders across the country has led investigators to the alleged ringleader of a small group previously declared dead by California officials. The Associated Press said federal and state authorities connected the “Zizians” to five homicides across Vermont, Pennsylvania and California.

These murders add to a January shootout that left a U.S. Border Patrol agent dead near the Canadian border. According to court documents, the group consists of individuals in their 20s and 30s who met online through shared beliefs.

Ringleader arrested, possibly faked death

Jack Amadeus LaSota, the group’s alleged leader, was arrested with Michelle Zajko on Sunday, Feb. 16, in Maryland.

A California news station reports court records suggest LaSota may have faked her own death. In 2022, she allegedly disappeared into the ocean after being on a boat with her sister and another person. A judge later declared her dead after a two-day search by the Coast Guard turned up nothing, and her family did not hear from her.

Investigators have not yet revealed evidence connecting them to the alleged killing spree but have claimed Zajko supplied the gun used to kill the Border Patrol agent. Another woman and a man have also been charged in connection to the crimes, with investigators believing they are linked to the group.

Group’s increasing violence and motives unclear

Authorities said they are still uncertain about the group’s motive but believe they became increasingly violent. According to the AP, topics of interest to the group reportedly include veganism, artificial intelligence and gender identity. LaSota’s online postings have also surfaced, in which she describes herself as a transgender woman planning to take action against her enemies.

Inmate records show the pair are being held on trespassing, gun and obstruction charges. They are both scheduled to appear before a judge on Tuesday, Feb. 18.