Zizians linked to four murders in three states, January 2025

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Sundog said:

Cult leader linked to 6 killings ordered held without bail

CUMBERLAND, Md. — The leader of a cultlike group connected to six killings in three states was ordered held without bail Tuesday in Maryland, where she faces trespassing and other charges. Jack LaSota, 34, of Berkeley, California, and two others arrested with her on Sunday appeared via...
www.altoonamirror.com www.altoonamirror.com

But LaSota, who is known online as Ziz, asked for pretrial release, saying she was homeless with no means of traveling. Speaking haltingly, she also requested a vegan diet and said she was “in a mild state of delirium” due to lack of food.

“I haven’t done anything wrong,” she told the judge.

. . .


Rebecca Francoeur-Breeden, a public defender representing LaSota, said she had spoken with LaSota’s mother twice since the arrest. The attorney noted LaSota’s educational achievements, including a degree in computer engineering.

“This is a very, very bright person we’re dealing with,” she said.

Francouer-Breeden also represented Zajko and Blank, 26, of Sacramento, California. Zajko and Blank did not directly address the charges against them during the hearing or through their attorney, who argued Zajko should be released before trial, saying she had a master’s degree and an impressive list of internships.

Francouer-Breeden described Blank as a “brilliant young man” with serious mental health concerns and said he was listed as a missing or endangered person before his arrest. Blank’s stepfather also addressed the judge, saying he hadn’t seen Blank in two years but was willing to get him housing locally to help ensure he shows up for court.
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Terrible thing think and say, but I feel so bad for the parents as how could they even feel safe if they let their own kids in their home after one in the group killer her parents?

Educational achievements are not a free card and many killers in the past have been known to have been "bright" ala Ted Bundy.
 
 
Parsnip said:
Among those most bewildered and frightened by a coast-to-coast convulsion of violence linked to a cultlike group of hardcore vegans and well-educated computer savants are the parents of young people who’ve spent time with the “Zizians.”
People like Brett Danielson.

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Thanks for posting this article. I had been trying to read it, but with a paywall, I could only read the first paragraph or so.

I really feel bad for these parents. These were gifted children who could have made a great contribution to our society. Instead they have fallen into a viciously evil cult and may never see the light of day again, out of prison. No wonder one of the former members may be in hiding (if it is found to be the actual situation that her father mentioned). And Daniel Blank's stepfather had even travelled to Maryland this week to be there at his son's arraignment. These parents obviously are devoted to their children while being "mystified" and "scared" as the title of the news article indicates.

I really hope that the courts have enough evidence to hold them and possibly extradite them to the states where they are suspects in the murders that have taken place.
 
Sundog said:
Thanks for posting this article. I had been trying to read it, but with a paywall, I could only read the first paragraph or so.

I really feel bad for these parents. These were gifted children who could have made a great contribution to our society. Instead they have fallen into a viciously evil cult and may never see the light of day again, out of prison. No wonder one of the former members may be in hiding (if it is found to be the actual situation that her father mentioned). And Daniel Blank's stepfather had even travelled to Maryland this week to be there at his son's arraignment. These parents obviously are devoted to their children while being "mystified" and "scared" as the title of the news article indicates.

I really hope that the courts have enough evidence to hold them and possibly extradite them to the states where they are suspects in the murders that have taken place.
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I agree. A lot of senseless death and victims, it's a shame things got to the point of violence with this crew.
 
justtrish said:
Me too charlot123.... if it isn't bothering me or others in some way, then it's really not my concern. This group sounds more like it's hijacked a group of people and turned it into something it isn't. I don't know if each member really is transgender or if they are buying into this theory the "leader" has about the two sides of the brain and so on. I also know many vegans and they value animals AND human life. They would not subscribe to this no harm to animals, but murdering people is fine thinking. Most vegans I know also wouldn't do drugs or half the things this group is doing. They tend to be peaceful people. Of course my vegan friends don't make up what all vegans think, but I am guessing not many would be okay with any of this groups ideas.

This group sounds mentally ill to me or well the leader for sure who has convinced so many others that this is the path they should go down. Now people are dead and other crimes have been committed. Lives ruined.
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they remind me of the Manson groupie murderers
definitely cult-ish
 
In a jailhouse interview with the Chronicle, the alleged killer of Lind, Maximilian Snyder, dictated a statement explaining he was driven to end the human consumption of animals. “Those are my little brothers and sisters and siblings,” he said.

But on Sunday, authorities said, the trio drove two box trucks onto a remote and snowy property in Allegany County in northwest Maryland. They were looking for a place to park and camp, but their suspicious appearance, including black clothing, prompted a resident to call police, who arrested them.

While Blank is in a Maryland jail and facing growing legal troubles, his arrest brought a measure of comfort to his parents. They reported their son missing in April 2023. They do not believe he had a hand in any of the violence, and feel he has been brainwashed by a cult.

“He’s my only son, my only child,” his mother, Nadia Blank, said in an interview. “It’s been a nightmare, not even knowing if he’s alive.”

In interviews with the Chronicle, Nadia and her ex-husband, Alexander Blank, described their son, whom they raised in the Bay Area, as kind, extraordinarily intelligent and incapable of violence. As a child, his father said, Daniel refused to tug on their family dog’s collar, out of fear it would cause pain.
eedition.sfchronicle.com

Ties to ‘Zizians’ have families worried

Ties to ‘Zizians’ have families worried
eedition.sfchronicle.com
 
LadyL said:
yes and the sister who lied and said he fell off the boat
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Has the sister been charged with obstruction of justice yet? Local? State? Federal? Imo she needs to be.

What about others out on the boat who flat out lied to the coast guard about Jack falling or jumping overboard?

What about LaSota’s mom? Did she facilitate his hiding from LE? It wasn’t just LE associated with Curtis Lind’s maiming and later murder, it was also authorities seeking to charge him for leaving a giant immovable hulking rusting metal atrocity filled with fuel oil out of the transit lanes and occupied areas of the bay.

It’s pretty obvious: Jack cared about nobody but Jack. A child power seeker and sociopath filled with hate. I think at least one charge will be racketeering and conspiracy. Say goodbye Jack

Who wrote the obituary? Who wrote all the guest entries, the “confirming— type” condolences that appeared in the condolences, some very recent? Some seemed only written to further the narrative. Can LE show that LaSota was in touch with some of these people? His family?

Here’s what Findlaw says about obstruction:


Also , from his actions. It doesn’t sound to me like ol Jack gave a rat’s **s about the environment, or AI, or veganism, or climate, or rationalism or other people, for that matter, He was a self absorbed narcissistic freak suffering from gender dysphoria (my opinion only) and delusions of grandeur. He and Manson imo are twins; soul mates. Nothing but contempt for others. The ultimate user. Nothing but nonsensical gibberish. Six or more people died for nothing.

I’m not saying Jack’s mom did help Jack hide, but I think it ought to be investigated. What was her proof that he had died? A coast guard report saying he couldn’t have survived the cold water? Well, what if he never jumped in???!

Did Legacy and Find-a-Grave require proof of death? Was a death certificate ever issued by a coroner, or was it just filled out a coast guard search dude getting off his boat after a long day spent searching for somebody who wasn’t there?

How can a death certificate be issued so soon (by anybody) when there is no body? It seems to me that if it were that easy for any suspect or fugitive to avoid prosecution (just have a sibling or friend say you jumped or fell off a boat - them have your family contact legacy or find a grave and write an obituary with lots of “oh what a beautiful soul Jack was.. what a bright light in the world who would give anybody the shirt off his back.”, Half of those running from the law would just call their sister and mom - then disappear like a fart in the wind (the Warden in ‘Shawshank Redemptiin’)

Same with the “group’s” attorney who contacted LaSota’s attorney and said: I’ve been told he’s dead.. On what basis? If somebody walked down the hall and said he was dead would you believe him? It’s your job as an attorney to verify. Imo they were possibly part of the obstruction too Some people were clearly lying. People were going to die…

If it turns out that Jack was involved in the Zajko murders, and the Lind maiming and murder and the Trooper murder in Vermont, anybody who helped Jack hide in the lead up to those murders needs to go to jail, and for a very long time time.

Jmo
 
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Rush4087 said:
Has the sister been charged with obstruction of justice yet? Local? State? Federal? Imo she needs to be.

What about others out on the boat who flat out lied to the coast guard about Jack falling or jumping overboard?

What about LaSota’s mom? Did she facilitate his hiding from LE? It wasn’t just LE associated with Curtis Lind’s maiming and later murder, it was also authorities seeking to charge him for leaving a giant immovable hulking rusting metal atrocity filled with fuel oil out of the transit lanes and occupied areas of the bay.

It’s pretty obvious: Jack cared about nobody but Jack. A child power seeker and sociopath filled with hate. I think at least one charge will be racketeering and conspiracy. Say goodbye Jack

Who wrote the obituary? Who wrote all the guest entries, the “confirming— type” condolences that appeared in the condolences, some very recent? Some seemed only written to further the narrative. Can LE show that LaSota was in touch with some of these people? His family?

Here’s what Findlaw says about obstruction:


Also , from his actions. It doesn’t sound to me like ol Jack gave a rat’s **s about the environment, or AI, or veganism, or climate, or rationalism or other people, for that matter, He was a self absorbed narcissistic freak suffering from gender dysphoria (my opinion only) and delusions of grandeur. He and Manson imo are twins; soul mates. Nothing but contempt for others. The ultimate user. Nothing but nonsensical gibberish. Six or more people died for nothing.

I’m not saying Jack’s mom did help Jack hide, but I think it ought to be investigated. What was her proof that he had died? A coast guard report saying he couldn’t have survived the cold water? Well, what if he never jumped in???!

Did Legacy and Find-a-Grave require proof of death? Was a death certificate ever issued by a coroner, or was it just filled out a coast guard search dude getting off his boat after a long day spent searching for somebody who wasn’t there?

How can a death certificate be issued so soon (by anybody) when there is no body? It seems to me that if it were that easy for any suspect or fugitive to avoid prosecution (just have a sibling or friend say you jumped or fell off a boat - them have your family contact legacy or find a grave and write an obituary with lots of “oh what a beautiful soul Jack was.. what a bright light in the world who would give anybody the shirt off his back.”, Half of those running from the law would just call their sister and mom - then disappear like a fart in the wind (the Warden in ‘Shawshank Redemptiin’)

Same with the “group’s” attorney who contacted LaSota’s attorney and said: I’ve been told he’s dead.. On what basis? If somebody walked down the hall and said he was dead would you believe him? It’s your job as an attorney to verify. Imo they were possibly part of the obstruction too Some people were clearly lying. People were going to die…

If it turns out that Jack was involved in the Zajko murders, and the Lind maiming and murder and the Trooper murder in Vermont, anybody who helped Jack hide in the lead up to those murders needs to go to jail, and for a very long time time.

Jmo
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very well written ITA

I didn't see any condolences when I read the obit
I'm gonna go back and look again
 
Sundog said:

Information on one of the Zizians who has now been in jail in the San Francisco area for two years and charged with a murder in California. At the end of the article, they discuss her very strange behavior in court.
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it's a paywall for me
can you give the gist?
 

A person linked to the cultlike "Zizians" stands accused of murder. Their identity remains a mystery.​

​

Prosecutors say Suri Dao was once Tessa Berns — a National Merit Scholar from Denver who vanished, prompting the math whiz’s best friend to worry they had been sucked into a cult.​

By Michael Barba, Matthias Gafni, Megan CassidyFeb 22, 2025, The San Francisco Chronicle

Even in a circle of people who have made headlines for faked deaths and perplexing bursts of violence, Suri Dao is an enigma.
Dao, who is awaiting trial in a 2022 knife and sword attack on a Vallejo landlord, is one of roughly 10 known associates of a cultlike group of vegans and computer savants who some call the “Zizians” and have been linked to six violent deaths around the country.
Prosecutors say Dao and two others jumped the landlord, Curtis Lind, during an eviction standoff at a property where Zizians were renting space to live in souped-up box trucks. Lind allegedly fired a gun in self-defense, killing one of Dao’s friends and prompting prosecutors to charge Dao with murder, under the theory that Dao is responsible for the death.



<modsnip: copyright>
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Audio excerpts of hearing at link below.
…
“I haven’t done anything wrong,” LaSota told a judge. “I shouldn’t be here.”
Speaking haltingly for almost five minutes, LaSota repeatedly interrupted the judge and pleaded for vegan food. She said she might be in a “mild state of delusion” due to a lack of vegan options in the Allegany County Detention Center and added that she would not be a flight risk as she is homeless and has no money to travel. LaSota’s attorney said Ziz, who appeared remotely from jail, was afraid for her life.
…
“Releasing me may be a matter of survival if I don’t get vegan food,” LaSota said. She explained that during her time in a Pennsylvania jail, she fasted for “a month and a week” before the jail relented. She said a jail chaplain there repeatedly revoked her vegan food diet due to a “discriminatory agenda.”
“Near the end of that time I was convinced I was going to die,” LaSota said. “It’s such a small thing to die over.

“I think the idea that I be mentally impaired for a month at proceedings because I’m in a state of starvation or that somebody with a particular majority religion would be deciding whether my religious beliefs are real … it’s not right.”
…

 
If my religious beliefs require that I only eat the flesh of baby seals, is the Allegheny County Corrections department obliged to accommodate me?

The mindset of these violent criminal fools is the result of privileged tolerance. "whiz kids" appropriating their live action roles from ordinary popular culture sources like Better call Saul, The girl with the dragon Tattoo, ad nauseum.

It has got be galling to these geniuses that they were outsmarted and arrested by hayseeds and lowly law enforcement in coal country!
 
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Missing Susan said:
If my religious beliefs require that I only eat the flesh of baby seals, is the Allegheny County Corrections department obliged to accommodate me?

The mindset of these violent criminal fools is the result of privileged tolerance. "whiz kids" appropriating their live action roles from ordinary popular culture sources like Better call Saul, The girl with the dragon Tattoo, ad nauseum.

It has got be galling to these geniuses that they were outsmarted and arrested by hayseeds and lowly law enforcement in coal country!
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Well, Hindus don’t eat meat. I don’t get in the details but it is linked to abstaining from violence; killing messes up their karma. I can accept the fact that a religious person would rather die than spoil his next life.

Now, these guys are obstinate and violent but consider veganism part of their lives. It is easier to feed them vegan food rather than be accountable for why they died in captivity, for example.

This being said - you are right that they come across as having poor idea about how the world works.
 
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