New murder charges linked to cult-like Zizians group

A woman allegedly connected to a cultlike group known as the "Zizians" has been charged with killing her parents in Pennsylvania.

Michelle Zajko, 33, has been charged with first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder in the 2022 deaths of Richard and Rita Zajko, Delaware County District Attorney Tanner Rouse announced at a news conference June 24.

Zajko is reportedly part of a small group linked to at least six deaths nationwide that is named after their purported leader, Jack "Ziz" LaSota. Mark Pitcavage, a senior research fellow and policy adviser at the Anti-Defamation League's Center on Extremism previously told USA TODAY the group has elements of a religious cult, citing LaSota's online postings.

Rouse said Zajko did not act alone but added that officials don't know who her alleged co-conspirators were.

"We know Michelle Zajko was with the killers - killer, killers - to the extent that she wasn't the one that actually pulled the trigger. She was certainly aligned with those who did," Rouse said.

'Exhaustive' investigation leads to murder charges

Zajko has been considered a person of interest in her parents' deaths for some time, but Rouse said it took an "exhaustive" investigation by multiple agencies including state police in Vermont and Pennsylvania to bring charges against her.

Rouse said Zajko had become estranged from her parents, but her mother reached out via text message to resolve the conflict on New Year's Eve 2022, Zajko's birthday. Hours later, a vehicle approached the couple's home, and two people could be seen on video getting out. The footage was captured by a neighbor's doorbell camera, according to the Associated Press.

One person could be heard speaking, but at the time, the audio was unclear, Rouse said. Investigators were able to enhance the audio and determine the speaker said "mom," according to Rouse.

Rouse alleged investigators also found text messages from Zajko about the killings and a list of things she believed the killers did wrong. He said ballistic analysis matched two shell casings found at the scene to a weapon used at a firing range in Zajko's home in Vermont.

"We don't have a smoking gun," he said. "It is piece after piece after piece of evidence that's been painstakingly collected over years."

Zajko faces more charges

Zajko was taken into custody in Maryland on separate charges in February 2025. Zajko was arrested alongside LaSota and another person and charged with trespassing, resisting or interfering with an arrest, obstruction and carrying a handgun.

Zajko denied killing her parents in a letter provided to the Associated Press by her attorney after her arrest. An attorney listed as representing Zajko in Maryland did not immediately respond to a request for comment from USA TODAY.

ATF agents are also pursuing federal charges against Zajko over allegations that she lied on purchasing paperwork for several guns bought in 2024 and which were later used by two other people in Vermont during a double-fatal shootout with U.S. Border Patrol agents, USA TODAY previously reported.

Who are the 'Zizians'?

Many of the group members are vegan, and either have degrees in computer science or have studied related fields. Some members of the group are transgender, or have rejected binary sexuality.

The group at one time was based in the San Francisco area, living in box trucks on a landlord's property. Members also appear to have lived in North Carolina and Vermont.

Group members have been charged with violent offenses in multiple states, at both the state and federal level.