The Zizians: Inside a Radical Cult’s Trail of Violence and Courtroom Chaos
In a California courtroom this week, what should have been a routine pre-trial proceeding devolved into chaos as two members of the Zizians, a radical vegan cult, disrupted proceedings in dramatically different ways. Alexander Leatham, 30, repeatedly screamed “Curtis Lind murdered Emma Borhanian!” at the judge, while fellow cult member Suri Dao, 23, sat unresponsive in a wheelchair, described by their attorney as “vegetative” due to restrictive anorexia that had caused them to lose 32 pounds since September. Both identify as transgender and stand accused in the brutal attempted murder of 82-year-old Curtis Lind with a samurai sword in 2022. This courtroom disruption represents just the latest chapter in the disturbing saga of the Zizians, a group that authorities have linked to six deaths across multiple states.
The violent encounter between Lind and the Zizians began when Leatham, Dao, and another cult member named Emma Borhanian were squatting on Lind’s property in 2022. When Lind finally demanded they leave, the situation turned horrific. According to prosecutors, Lind was inspecting a leak in Dao’s trailer when someone struck him from behind. He later told police he regained consciousness to find himself with approximately 50 stab wounds, a samurai sword embedded in his torso, and the three Zizians standing over him. Despite his injuries, Lind managed to grab his gun and fire, wounding Leatham and killing Borhanian in what prosecutors have characterized as self-defense. Though Lind survived this initial attack, tragedy would find him again when another Zizian, Maximilian Snyder, allegedly murdered him to prevent him from testifying against Leatham and Dao. Snyder now faces separate homicide charges.
This week’s disrupted hearing was just the latest in a series of chaotic courtroom appearances. In April, Leatham claimed to be a victim of forced de-transitioning through hormone therapy, part of what she described as a “quarter century” conspiracy against transgender people. In March, she repeatedly shouted, “This is a show trial to coordinate the genocide of transgender people!” until the judge ordered her removal to an isolation room. These outbursts have complicated legal proceedings, though the Solano County Superior Court is working to consolidate the cases against Dao and Leatham and set a trial date. The court’s patience has been tested repeatedly, but the severity of the charges demands that justice proceed despite the disruptions.
Behind the Zizians stands their alleged founder, 34-year-old Jack “Ziz” LaSota, whom authorities describe as a modern-day Charles Manson. LaSota, a transgender blogger and computer engineer from Berkeley, has cultivated a following allegedly responsible for violence spanning three states. The group’s reach became evident when Zizian members Teresa “Milo” Consuelo Youngblut and Felix “Ophelia” Bauckholt allegedly fatally shot federal agent David Maland during a traffic stop near the Canadian border in Vermont last year. The agent returned fire before succumbing to his wounds, killing Bauckholt and injuring Youngblut. Investigation revealed that the weapons used in this deadly encounter had been purchased by another cult member, Michelle Zakjow, a transgender man wanted in connection with the murder of his parents in Pennsylvania.
The web of violence continued to unravel in February when police in Delaware arrested Zakjow, fellow Zizian Daniel Blank, and LaSota herself—who had previously attempted to fake her own death in 2022. The three face charges of trespassing, obstruction, and possession of a handgun in a vehicle. While Pennsylvania state police believe they have sufficient evidence to charge Zakjow with the murders of his parents, the Delaware County District Attorney’s office maintains that law enforcement has yet to provide adequate evidence for prosecution. This legal limbo represents just one more complication in the sprawling investigation into the cult’s activities.
As the legal proceedings against various Zizians continue across multiple jurisdictions, questions remain about what drives the group’s apparent penchant for violence. The radical vegan cult appears to blend extreme ideology with personal devotion to LaSota, creating a volatile mix that has led to tragic consequences. The cases of Leatham and Dao highlight the challenges facing the justice system when dealing with defendants who either cannot or will not participate conventionally in their own defense. With Dao’s deteriorating health and Leatham’s repeated outbursts, the court must balance the defendants’ rights with the need for orderly proceedings and justice for the victims. Meanwhile, communities across the country remain vigilant about the potential threat posed by remaining members of this dangerous group, whose full reach may not yet be fully understood by authorities.
