The murder case went cold for two years before gaining renewed attention in January. Prosecutors connected a person of interest, identified as Zajko, to suspects in other violent crimes in California and Vermont. These suspects are believed to be part of a group called the Zizians, a cultlike community of AI-obsessed vegans.
Zajko, who had been on the run since fleeing the state police, was finally apprehended with two associates in Maryland on trespassing and weapons charges. Authorities suspect that this group may be linked to multiple homicides across the country, although no one has been charged in the murder of Zajko’s parents.
Family and friends express hope that justice will be served for Rich and Rita, the victims of this tragic incident.
The Zajkos resided in a serene neighborhood in Chester Heights, Pennsylvania. Michelle, their only child, was adopted and raised in this home. She pursued a career in biology, earning a master’s degree in bioinformatics from Temple University after studying at Cabrini University. Michelle was a diligent student, with internships at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and NASA’s Ames Research Center.
Her parents, Richard and Rita, were known for their kindness and generosity as landlords in Aston. Richard was not only responsive to tenants’ needs but also advocated for their well-being, encouraging them to save for homeownership. The couple deeply cared for people, as evidenced by their compassionate gestures towards their tenants.
The tragic incident took place on Michelle’s 30th birthday, when Rita, aged 69, and Richard, aged 71, were found shot in their home. The investigation revealed the grisly details of their deaths, with Rita sustaining a fatal gunshot wound to her head and Richard having been shot in his hand and temple.
Despite the heinous crime, the community remains hopeful for justice and closure in the case of Rich and Rita Zajko.
Three days after finding a “9mm Luger +P SIG” at Michelle Zajko’s home in Coventry, Vermont, investigators from the Vermont and Pennsylvania state police confirmed that she owned a semiautomatic handgun that fires 9 mm ammunition. Zajko, as per court records, allowed the investigators to handle the gun, which appeared well-kept and recently cleaned. She disclosed that she had not been in contact with her parents since January 2022 and had purchased the firearm and ammunition matching the casings found at a murder scene in Pennsylvania from a local sporting goods store.
A search warrant was sought for the gun and ammunition believed to be at Zajko’s residence, but she was in Pennsylvania for her parents’ funeral when the warrant was filed. Pennsylvania state troopers later went to a hotel where Zajko was staying, but did not find the gun or ammunition in her room. However, the gun was discovered in a room occupied by two of her associates after she allegedly fled the police barracks.
The case faced a standstill for two years until a Border Patrol agent was killed in a gunbattle in Vermont on Jan. 20 of this year. The shooting involved agents pulling over a car occupied by Ophelia Bauckholt and Teresa Youngblut, with Youngblut opening fire and Bauckholt being fatally shot in the ensuing chaos. The prosecutors have not disclosed a motive for the shooting and Youngblut has pleaded not guilty to federal weapons charges.
The guns used in the incident were linked back to Zajko, who was charged with lying to a gun dealer about her address at the time of purchase. Zajko, Youngblut, and Bauckholt are connected to a group known as the Zizians, with ties to a rationalist community in Berkeley, California.
The rise of AI poses existential threats. Members of the group known as Zizians have been linked to six violent deaths in the U.S. The group was accused of assaulting an elderly man, Curtis Lind, with a samurai sword in 2022, resulting in one member being killed in self-defense. Lind, who was set to testify against his alleged attackers, was fatally stabbed outside his home in January. The group’s leader, believed to be an Alaskan computer scientist and blogger named Jack “Ziz” LaSota, was questioned in connection to the murders. Michelle Zajko’s gun was found in a room where LaSota was staying, leading to her arrest for hindering the investigation. Recently, Zajko and LaSota were found on a property in Maryland wearing all black and carrying firearms. Zajko was charged with trespassing and weapons offenses. The motive for the murders remains unknown, but evidence suggests possible communication issues within the Zajko family. Rosanne Zajko, acting as the family’s spokesperson, declined interviews and expressed their focus on seeking justice for Rita and Rick Zajko.
Michelle was described as a “very, very intelligent person” by Rosanne Zajko. She mentioned that Michelle has always been a very independent thinker, displaying intellectual curiosity. Rosanne noted, “I see how she goes out there and wants to learn more.” However, she expressed confusion over how Michelle became involved with that group, stating, “But how she actually got to fall under the influence of that group is something I do not understand, and I have no answers for.”
