Jack LaSota, widely known as Ziz, a 34-year-old computer scientist and controversial figure within the rationalist and vegan communities, was arrested in Maryland, along with two alleged associates. The arrest marks a significant development in an ongoing investigation that has drawn the attention of law enforcement agencies, including the FBI.
Ziz has been linked to a radical group known as the “Zizians,” a mysterious collective of mostly transgender and non-binary individuals who advocate extreme veganism and anarchist philosophies. Authorities suspect members of this group may be connected to at least six deaths across the United States.
Ziz and the Evolution of the Zizian Movement
The origins of Jack LaSota’s ideology can be traced back to the rationalist community in Silicon Valley, where she was once an influential thinker. Emerging from the effective altruism and rationalist movements, Ziz initially gained prominence through her online writings, which combined logical reasoning with strong ethical stances on animal rights. Over time, her philosophy took a more radical turn, leading to a break with mainstream rationalists.
In 2016, Ziz’s disagreements with the rationalist establishment deepened, culminating in a public split. She accused others in the movement of moral cowardice, particularly regarding their stance on animal suffering.
This schism led her to form a small but devoted following of like-minded individuals, who began referring to themselves as “Zizians.” Their beliefs centered on the idea that society’s moral framework was fundamentally flawed and that conventional ethical boundaries needed to be discarded in pursuit of a more just world.
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The Zizians became known for their militant veganism and rejection of conventional societal norms. Ziz’s personal blog was a hub for discussions on radical animal rights activism, critiques of law enforcement, and philosophical justifications for direct action.
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However, critics alleged that Jack LaSota manipulated her followers, using her influence to isolate them from outside perspectives and push them toward increasingly extreme behaviors.
A Trail of Violence and Suspicion
The group first came under national scrutiny in 2019 when Jack LaSota and three associates were arrested after staging a protest outside a rationalist think tank. While the protest was intended to be non-violent, it ended with a SWAT team intervention and felony charges. Ziz later claimed she had been mistreated by law enforcement, further deepening her mistrust of the system.
By 2022, Ziz and her followers had retreated to a trailer yard in Vallejo, California. The situation took a deadly turn in November of that year when their landlord, Curtis Lind, confronted them over unpaid rent.
The altercation escalated into violence, leaving Ziz’s close associate Emma Borhanian dead from gunshot wounds, allegedly in self-defense by Lind, who himself was hospitalized after being stabbed with a samurai sword. Authorities charged two other members of the Zizian group with Borhanian’s murder, arguing that they had initiated the fight.
As legal troubles mounted, Jack LaSota faked her own death and went underground. Meanwhile, her followers continued to attract attention. On New Year’s Eve 2022, Michelle “Jamie” Zajko’s parents, Richard and Rita Zajko, were found shot dead in their Pennsylvania home.
Investigators suspected Zajko’s firearm may have been involved, though no formal charges were brought against her at the time. When authorities tracked her down at a Pennsylvania hotel, they discovered Ziz—alive and well—hiding in a separate room along with another Zizian member, Daniel Blank.
Another violent incident occurred in January 2025, when Curtis Lind, the same landlord involved in the Vallejo confrontation, was murdered by an assailant wearing a black mask and wielding a knife.
Authorities arrested 22-year-old Maximilian Snyder, an Oxford graduate, for the crime. Though Snyder denied any association with Jack LaSota, he used his prison correspondence to promote extreme vegan beliefs, echoing Zizian rhetoric.
The most recent and shocking case tied to the group took place in Vermont, where a traffic stop turned deadly. Border agent David Maland and a young rationalist named Ophelia Bauckholt were both killed in a shootout.
Prosecutors allege that Milo Youngblut, a known Zizian member, opened fire on law enforcement officers without provocation. Reports indicate that Youngblut had been reported missing by their parents and had recently applied for a marriage license with Snyder.
The Arrest in Maryland and Ongoing Investigation
The recent arrests in Maryland represent a turning point in the investigation. Jack LaSota, along with Zajko and Blank, were detained on charges including trespass, obstruction, and firearm possession. Authorities have not yet formally linked them to the murders, but the FBI’s involvement suggests a broader investigation is underway.
Maryland officials described the arrests as resulting from “on-site activity” rather than outstanding warrants. The nature of this activity remains unclear, but law enforcement sources suggest the trio may have been attempting to establish a new base of operations.
For years, Ziz’s followers have painted her as a misunderstood visionary, unfairly persecuted for her beliefs. Supporters argue that she has been demonized due to her outspoken criticism of systemic oppression, particularly in relation to law enforcement and animal rights.
Critics, however, contend that Ziz is a dangerous manipulator who has used her influence to radicalize vulnerable individuals, pushing them toward violent confrontation with the state.
Despite the arrests, many unanswered questions remain. How deeply were Ziz and her followers involved in the violent incidents spanning multiple states? Were the deaths of Borhanian, the Zajkos, Lind, Maland, and Bauckholt part of a coordinated campaign, or were they the unintended consequences of a fringe movement spiraling out of control?
As the FBI continues its investigation, authorities are working to untangle the web of connections between the Zizians and the string of violent incidents. If charged, Ziz and her associates could face serious legal consequences, potentially marking the end of a radical movement that has puzzled and alarmed both law enforcement and the wider rationalist community for nearly a decade.