A string of murders in the United States has drawn the attention of authorities—and internet sleuths—to an emerging cult called ‘The Zizians’. Originally based around San Francisco, the Zizians adhere to an ideology that believes artificial intelligence (AI) will soon reign supreme over humans. So far, not that odd. However, Zizians also believe that if anyone training AI eats meat, the AI will essentially absorb and learn to imitate factory farming practices, ultimately leading to the imprisonment, torture and murder of humans like animals.
To date, six deaths in the United States have been linked back to The Zizians, with five occurring this year. The deaths are not only suspicious, but have been carried out in inconceivably brutal ways. In April 2025, The Cut highlighted two unlikely members of the group, a couple from Seattle, who allegedly carried out murders on the opposite side of the country, less than two weeks apart. The story has thrown the Zizians back into the spotlight, with most of us having questions about the “vegan AI cult” linked to a growing number of deaths. Here’s what we know.
What Do Zizians Believe?
Zizian belief is rooted in rationalism, a philosophical school of thought that positions reason and logic as the ultimate source of truth, as opposed to faith, feeling or experience.
While rationalism is not a new concept, it gained new disciples and subsections influenced by the computer technology boom in America, particularly around northern California, home to the Centre of Applied Rationality (CFAR).
While there are altruistic elements of contemporary rationalism (like saving human kind from its tech-led destruction), its downside is often in extreme black-and-white thinking, and the inarguable supremacy of logic, like using an algorithm to make any decision (see: Bayesian reasoning). Having said that, there are plenty of subsections to rationalism, some of which lean towards the spiritual (like meditating to a separate, elevated consciousness), and the Roko’s Basilisk thought experiment, which believes a future version of artificial intelligence will rule over humanity, and punish anyone who didn’t contribute to its creation. (For the record, Elon Musk and Grimes first bonded over Roko’s Basilisk.)
Contemporary rationalism is both complex and sprawling, but it is ultimately defined by two (seemingly conflicting) ideas: the supremacy of leaders in technology, and the threat of AI.
When it comes to Zizians, the group subscribes to a vegan-centric offshoot of rationalism. As explained by the The Cut, Zizians “believed that if those who worked on AI were meat-eaters, that super-intelligent AI would use the meat industry as a blueprint for how society worked: enslaving and torturing humanity for all eternity in factory farms spread across the galaxy. To prevent this, they would have to work to turn everyone, and especially those who worked on AI, vegan.”
Zizians also believe there are two hemispheres of the brain that function separately and independently from each other. Among claims like the hemispheres were inherently good and evil, the Zizians’ founding leader, Ziz also suggested that one part of the brain can sleep while another can be awake—the optimal way to function effectively.
Zizians are also often associated with anarchism, including being anti land-ownership.
Who Are The Zizians?
The Zizians were founded in 2019 in the San Francisco Bay area. Most Zizians work in the tech industry and subscribe to a popular school of thought called ‘rationalism’. Many identify as transgender. They got their name from the oft-named leader, Jack LaSota, who used to blog under the pen name ‘Ziz’.
Other people with ties to the group are Maximilian Snyder, Milo Youngblut, Somni Logencia and Suri Dao, all of whom have been charged in relation to various murders. Jamie Zajko and Daniel Blank are also linked with the Zizians, and have been arrested on various charges. They are persons of interest in the deaths of Zajko’s parents. Further members Emma Borhanian and Ophelia Bauckholt were killed in alleged acts of self defence by folks they’ve attacked.
LaSota, Logencia, Dao and Borhanian lived together in box trucks in Vallejo, California. LaSota was later joined by Blank, Baucholt and Youngblut in a similar living situation in North Carolina. However, Snyder, who was in relationship with Youngblut, may never have personally met anyone else in the group. The Zizians operated frequently in online communities, like Discord, where they preached their ideology.
Who Is The Leader Of The Zizians, Jack ‘Ziz’ LaSota?
Cults are typically defined by the presence of a charismatic leader. While Zizians claim to not have a person in charge, the group’s creation is pinned to Jack LaSota, a blogger who went by the pen name ‘Ziz’.
Ziz studied technology, worked in the industry and even interned at NASA. She ultimately made a name for herself as a blogger. Ziz pioneered the idea that AI should be run by vegans, as opposed to “carnists” or non vegans. Vegans, per Ziz’s belief, were good while meat-eaters were evil—and we couldn’t have evil people training the artificial intelligence that would inevitably take over the world.
The Cut pointed to several of Ziz’s blog posts which contained rambling, violent fantasies. However, it suggested many were drawn to the writer’s vision, admiring her stance on veganism.
In 2019, LaSota was arrested alongside other Zizian members for participating in a protest against CFAR. When LaSota failed to appear in court, her lawyer said she had died in a boating accident. An obituary was also published, but the death was faked.
In February 2025, LaSota was arrested in Maryland with Jamie Zajko and Daniel Blank, and is held on charges of trespassing, obstructing and hindering, and possession of a handgun in a vehicle.
Are The Zizians Responsible for Murder?
To date, the Zizians have been linked to six deaths, occurring between 2022 and 2025. These deaths include members of the Zizian cult. However, the line between the alleged murders and the Zizian ideology is not always clear. In some cases, the motive for the killings does not seem to be strictly linked to the cult’s belief system.
These are the deaths associated with members of the Zizians:
Richard and Rita Zajko, February 2025
Richard and Rita Zajko were both shot and killed at their home in Delaware. No one has been charged with their murder, though Zizians Daniel Blank and Michelle Zajko have been named by authorities as persons of interest.
Curtis Lind, January 31, 2025
Curtis Lind, 82, was a former landlord of some Zizian members, who attacked and allegedly tried to kill him 2022. In 2025, Maximilian Snyder, another Zizian associate, allegedly murdered Lind. Snyder has pleaded not guilty.
David Maland and Ophelia Bauckholt, January 20, 2025
A border agent David Maland was allegedly shot and killed by Zizian members Ophelia Bauckholt and Milo Youngblut. The two had been reported for observation by local hotel operators after they were seen reportedly carrying firearms. Border agents pulled them over, and Youngblut reportedly got out of the car and opened fire on the agents. Bauckholt allegedly reached for her own firearm but was shot by the agents. Youngblut has been arrested in relation to the murder. They have pleaded not guilty.
Emma Borhanian, November 13, 2022
Emma Borhanian was a Zizian member who was shot and killed by Curtis Lind. Lind claimed self defence after Borhanian and others brutally attacked him.
The Murder Of Curtis Lind
Trigger warning: this section contains details of extreme violence
One of the most violent and highly publicised murders linked to Zizian members is that of their former landlord, Curtis Lind. However, Zizians allegedly attempted to kill Curtis twice, failing the first time in November 2022.
A number of Zizian members had been leasing property off Lind, where they’d parked trailers and trucks in which they were living. The group refused to pay rent for two years, and Lind sued to evict them. After this, a small group of Zizian members lured the 80-year-old landlord to one of their trucks and attacked him.
Lind was stabbed over 50 times in the attack, including with a samurai sword that was lodged through his torso. His skull was broken and he was left blind in one eye. Lind, who had begun carrying a firearm after the group had previously threatened him, shot two of the attackers, killing one, Emma Borhanian. Two Zizian members, Somni Logencia (whose given name is Alexander Leatham) and Suri Dao, were charged with his attempted murder. As of April 2025, the trial remains ongoing.
In January 2025, Maximilian Snyder, who also has Zizian links, attacked Lind again. Approaching the now 82-year-old, Snyder allegedly placed his arm around him before stabbing him and cutting his throat.
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