Zizians Cult Members Face Charges in Multiple States Following Vermont Border Agent’s Killing

A member of a group known as Zizians, linked to six deaths across the United States, was released on bail in Maryland on Friday, although other members remain in custody facing charges in multiple states. The group, comprised of young, highly intelligent computer scientists, has drawn scrutiny for its radical beliefs surrounding veganism, animal rights, gender identity, and artificial intelligence.

Bail and Ongoing Cases

Daniel Blank was released after posting a $15,000 bail, with conditions including solitary living and GPS tracking according to the Associated Press. His attorney, Rebecca Lechliter, declined to comment. Jack “Ziz” LaSota and Michelle Zajko remain in custody without bail. The three were initially arrested in February 2025 in western Maryland on trespassing and gun charges after being found living in box trucks as reported by National Today.

Connection to Multiple Homicides

Law enforcement officials have connected LaSota, Zajko, and Blank to homicide investigations in California, Pennsylvania, and Vermont. The deaths linked to the group began to surface in 2022, with incidents including the death of a group member during an attack on a California landlord, the subsequent killing of the landlord, and the shooting deaths of Zajko’s parents in Pennsylvania as detailed in Fortune.

The most recent death linked to the group occurred last year with the killing of a U.S. Border agent in Vermont during a highway shootout according to court documents. Zajko is accused of supplying the firearms used in the Vermont shooting National Today reports.

Ongoing Investigation

Maryland State Trooper Brandon Jeffries stated after the February 16, 2025 arrests that all suspects would be questioned regarding other crimes across the country potentially linked to the Zizians as reported by Fortune. Seven members of the group are currently jailed in three states, awaiting trial. Jury selection in the Maryland case, involving charges of possession of LSD, gun violations, trespassing, and hindering a police officer, was recently delayed after Zajko changed legal representation the AP reported.