Woman linked to cult-like group charged in 2022 murder of her parents in Delco

Michelle Zajko has been charged with first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit first-degree murder in the shooting deaths of her parents, Richard and Rita Zajko.

A woman who has been linked with a cult-like group known as the Zizians has been charged in the 2022 murder of her parents in Pennsylvania, according to Delaware County District Attorney Tanner Rouse.

In a news conference, Rouse announced that Michelle Zajko has been charged with first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit first-degree murder in the shooting deaths of her parents, 71-year-old Richard Zajko and his wife, 68-year-old Rita Zajko, inside their home on Highland Drive on Dec. 31, 2022.

“We can say beyond any doubt, that Michelle was at least responsible for the death of her parents. She did not act alone. At this time, we do not know who her co-conspirators were," Rouse said.

Michelle Zajko has been jailed in Maryland on other charges since February 2025.

Rouse said Michelle Zajko had become estranged from her parents since early 2022. Investigation also revealed that during the course of that year, Michelle Zajko and another person purchased firearms.

During that time, Michelle Zajko also became affiliated with a man named Jack Lasota, who is the apparent leader of the cultlike group known as the Zizians.

Richard and Rita Zajko were murdered the day of Michelle Zajko's birthday.

"Her mother, Rita Zajko, reached out and explained that she was sorry for the rift that had grown between them. That text went unanswered," Rouse said.

Hours after that text, Rouse said a car was seen approaching the couple's home in Chester Heights. Then, two individuals were seen getting out of the car.

"One can be heard something that at the time was undistinguishable, sounded like it could've been 'Mom,'" Rouse said. "The lights go on in the home and Richard and Rita Zajko are executed."

In the course of the investigation, detectives were able to enhance that audio clearly hear what was said when the individuals got out of the car.

"With that audio enhanced you are very clearly able to hear someone yell 'Mom!' as they stand at the front door," Rouse said.

Michelle Zajko was Richard and Rita Zajko's only child, officials said.

“They lived for others. It’s like a light has gone out of our lives. Not to have them, and pick up the phone to call," said Rosanne Zajko, a relative of the victims.

Michelle Zajko has denied any involvement, and in court filings suggested her father might have killed her mother and then himself.

“I didn’t murder my parents,” she wrote in an April 2025 “ Open Letter to the World.”

According to Rouse, evidence shows Michelle was exchanging a "number of text messages during this time explaining things she could've done differently surrounding the homicide."

Moreover, two shell casings found at the scene were found to match a firearm that had been used at the suspect's home in Vermont.

In February 2025, Michelle Zajko was arrested in Maryland along with Lasota, who has been connected to multiple homicides across three states, including the killing of a U.S. Border Patrol agent.

Lasota was charged with trespassing, obstructing and hindering and firearm in vehicle. Zajko was charged with trespassing, obstructing and hindering, resisting arrest and handgun on person. Blank was charged with trespassing, obstructing and hindering.

The Zizians have been tied to the killing of U.S. Border Patrol Agent David Maland near the Canadian border in January 2025.

Investigators ultimately linked Lasota and Zajko to the cultlike group known as the Zizians. In addition to the murders of Maland and Zajko’s parents, the group was also allegedly involved in four other homicides in Vermont and California, according to investigators.

The Associated Press described the Zizians as a group of young, highly intelligent computer scientists, most of them in their 20s and 30s, who met online, shared anarchist beliefs, and became increasingly violent.

Their goals aren’t clear, but online writings span topics from radical veganism and gender identity to artificial intelligence.

At the middle of it all is “Ziz,” who appears to be the leader of the group. She has been seen near multiple crime scenes and has connections to various suspects.

Online court records didn’t immediately indicate whether Zajko had an attorney in the Pennsylvania case as of Wednesday. An attorney representing her in Maryland did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment, and the Delaware County Public Defender's office declined to comment.