A series of violent events spanning across multiple states has brought the enigmatic online group known as the "Zizians" into the spotlight. This group, named after their affinity for a blogger who goes by the name "Ziz," finds itself embroiled in legal controversies and criminal investigations. The unfolding drama involves a complex web of individuals and incidents, including murder charges, shootouts, and mysterious alliances.
Maximilian Snyder, a 22-year-old member of the Zizians, is at the center of these events. In November, Snyder applied for a marriage license with Teresa Youngblut in Washington state. However, his life took a dark turn when he was charged with murder in connection with a case in the same state. Youngblut, who faces two weapons charges related to the killing of landlord Curtis Lind on January 17, pleaded not guilty in federal court on February 7.
The intrigue deepens with the involvement of Felix Bauckholt, a German citizen also known as Ophelia, who was traveling with Youngblut. Bauckholt met a tragic end in a shootout in Coventry, Vermont. This incident followed the fatal shooting of Maland, 44, during a traffic stop on January 20. Prosecutors determined that Maland acted in self-defense, leading to charges against Dao and Alexander Leatham for violent crimes.
The Zizians' controversial activities trace back to various incidents over the years. On New Year's Eve 2022, Rita and Richard Zajko were shot and killed in Chester Heights, Pennsylvania. In another incident, landlord Curtis Lind sought legal action in 2022 to evict Jack LaSota, Emma Borhanian, Gwen Danielson, Leatham, and other tenants after they ceased paying rent.
LaSota's history with the law includes an arrest in November 2019 during a protest outside a northern California retreat center, alongside Borhanian, Danielson, and Leatham. Released on bail in 2020, LaSota later stopped appearing for court proceedings. He was last seen at a hotel where Youngblut and Snyder were staying.
The group's legal representative, Daniel McGarrigle, has stated that his clients are “wholly and unequivocally innocent of the charges filed in this case.” Despite these assertions, the cases against the Zizians continue to mount as authorities work to unravel their complex network and motivations.