Northeast
Trans vegan cult member linked to Vermont border agent killing was person of interest in parents' murders
A member of a transgender, vegan cult linked to the killing of a Vermont border agent was also a person of interest in the murder of their parents.
During a wellness check on Jan. 3, 2023, the bodies of 72-year-old Richard and 69-year-old Rita Zajko were found dead at their home in Chester Heights Borough, Pennsylvania. The Delaware County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed the deaths, which occurred on Dec. 31, 2022, as homicides.
More than a year later, the incident remains an “active investigation” by the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP).
According to the PSP, the couple were found with a firearm inside their home. The firearm “has been linked” to a person of interest in the January 2025 shooting of U.S. Border Patrol Agent David Christopher Maland.
TRANSGENDER CULT LEADER LINKED TO BORDER AGENT KILLING MAINTAINS INNOCENCE, ASKS FOR VEGAN FOOD IN JAIL
These undated photos provided by the Pennsylvania State Police show Richard and Rita Zajko, who police say were shot to death in their home in suburban Philadelphia on Dec. 31, 2022. (Pennsylvania State Police via AP)
The home in Chester Heights, Pennsylvania, where Rita and Richard Zajko were murdered in December 2022. (AP Photo – Matt Rourke)
Michelle Zajko, the daughter of Richard and Rita, was linked to the firearms found in Teresa Youngblut and Felix “Ophelia” Bauckholt’s vehicle during Maland’s shooting.
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“An investigation into the border agent shooting revealed that the weapon used in the killing of the Customs and Border Patrol agent was purchased by a person of interest in the murders of Rita and Richard Zajko,” a spokesperson with the PSP confirmed to Fox News Digital.
TRANSGENDER VEGAN ‘CULT’ MEMBERS ARRESTED
Michelle Zajko, 32, was also charged with resisting arrest and carrying a handgun. (Allegany County Sheriff’s Office)
This undated image, courtesy of Joan Maland, shows U.S. Border Patrol agent David Maland, who was killed Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, following a traffic stop in Vermont. (David Maland/Joan Maland via AP)
On Jan. 20, 2025, Maland was killed during a routine traffic stop in Coventry, Vermont, about 20 miles south of the Canadian border.
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Bauckholt was killed in the gunfire, along with the 44-year-old border agent. Youngblut was taken into custody and faces weapons charges.
ZIZIAN LEADER JACK LASOTA: WHO IS TRANSGENDER, VEGAN CULT HEAD LINKED TO BORDER AGENT KILLING?
Maryland State Police said they arrested three members of the group — Jack Amadeus Lasota, shown here, Michelle Jacqueline Zajko and Daniel Arthur Blank — on Feb. 16 in connection with the Jan. 20 killing of U.S. Border Patrol Agent David Maland. (Allegany County Sheriff’s Office)
Maland’s killing put a spotlight on the “Zizians,” a group that reportedly includes Youngblut, Bauckholt and Zajko and has been connected to at least six homicides. The group’s goal is unclear, but online writings from members span topics from “radical veganism” to transgenderism and artificial intelligence.
Daniel Blank was allegedly involved in the couple’s murder. (Allegany County Sheriff’s Office)
Jack “Ziz” Lasota, 34, was arrested along with Michelle Zajko, 33, and Daniel Blank, 26, Maryland State Police (MSP) previously announced in a release. They face multiple charges, including trespassing, obstructing and hindering, and possession of a handgun in a vehicle.
Lasota was arrested and charged with trespassing, obstructing and hindering, firearm in vehicle; Zajko was arrested and charged with trespassing, obstructing and hindering, resisting arrest, handgun on person; Blank was arrested and charged with trespassing, obstructing and hindering, the MSP said.
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Attorney Daniel McGarrigle, who is representing Lasota, referred Fox News Digital to a release by the firm. The release highlighted that Lasota is “presumed innocent unless and until the government meets its burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.”
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Will the Boston Red Sox cut ties with Aroldis Chapman before the 2026 Major League Baseball trade deadline?
That’s going to be the biggest question hanging over the organization ahead of the deadline if the Red Sox aren’t able to fully turn their season around. After taking down the New York Yankees on Friday, Boston has a 27-35 record. The Red Sox’s contest against the Yankees was postponed on Saturday and the two American League East rivals will conclude their brief series at Yankee Stadium on Sunday.
Boston clearly has a lot of work to do right now. With the club currently struggling in the standings, USA Today’s Bob Nightengale wrote that Chapman is “expected” to join his eighth different team this summer and get moved.
What Will Boston Do With Aroldis Chapman?
“Boston Red Sox closer Aroldis Chapman is expected to join his eighth different team, and potentially be in the postseason with his sixth different team,” Nightengale wrote. “He is the top reliever available on every contender’s target list, converting 28 consecutive saves dating back to last season, one shy of his career record.”
If the Red Sox are eight games below .500 at the beginning of August, like they are now, then this idea unfortunately, would make sense. But it’s important to note that on Saturday, The Athletic’s Jen McCaffrey reported that Boston has fielded calls on Chapman, Justin Slaten, and Garrett Whitlock but has told teams that the trio currently isn’t available. The idea of Chapman being moved is fully contingent on whether the Red Sox can make progress in the standings over the next two months.
Right now, the Red Sox are just three games out of an American League Wild Card spot, so it’s not the craziest idea in the world to believe they can make up some ground here. Plus, let’s not forget that some point Garrett Crochet and Roman Anthony will be able to return.
So, right now, the Red Sox are in a tough spot, which gives some life to Nightengale’s point, but it’s still a bit too early to fully jump to conclusions. If the Red Sox can go on a little run, then all of a sudden the perception will shift around Boston. If not, then the club will end up getting a haul in exchange for Chapman if the club actually does end up moving him before the deadline.
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Three people have died as a result of a house fire earlier this week in Mercer County.
According to the City of Sharon Bureau of Police, a fire on Friday at a home on Sherman Avenue sent four people to the hospital. At the time of the transport, three of the four people taken to the hospital were in critical condition.
On Sunday morning, police said that three victims who were in critical condition died on Saturday evening from the injuries sustained in the fire.
The victims were identified as 38-year-old Sarah Jacobson and two children, Kevin and Izabella Jacobson.
“Our thoughts and prayers remain with the Jacobson family at this time of tragedy,” City of Sharon Chief of Police Edward Stabile said in a statement provided to KDKA-TV.
The fourth victim, according to police, is now listed as being in stable condition.
The fire happened at the home just after midnight on Friday morning, and the cause is still under investigation. Sharon police, along with the Pennsylvania State Police Fire Marshal, the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the Sharon Fire Department, are all coordinating in the investigation.
ROCKY HILL, Conn. (WTNH) – A water main break in Rocky Hill Sunday morning will impact traffic for much of the day on Grimes Road.
According to Rocky Hill Police the break happened at approximately 7:10 a.m. in the area of 40 Grimes Road between Louis Place and Hillside Avenue. Motorists are advised to take alternatee routes and avoid the area.
The Metropolitan District Commission is on scene making repairs which could take up to 8 hours.
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