In the wooded outskirts of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, a landlord discovered unsettling behavior at two of his rental properties. Tenants adorned in long black coats parked box trucks outside the duplexes, connecting electrical cords from the vehicles into one of the condos, and even stored a stretcher in another.
Neighbors reported sightings of similarly dressed figures wandering the area at night, often hand-in-hand, without uttering a word. This strange activity escalated as the FBI launched an investigation after a recent shootout involving one of the tenants and U.S. Border Patrol agents in Vermont.
Authorities have linked the tenants to a cult-like group that has been associated with six unsolved deaths across three states. The details of the ongoing investigation remain scarce, but it is believed to have started after the tragic death of a Border Patrol trooper during a traffic stop.
The investigation has revealed that this group consists primarily of young, intelligent individuals who share extreme beliefs ranging from radical veganism to anarchism, and are deeply engrossed in discussions surrounding artificial intelligence. At the center of this unsettling narrative is a figure known as “Ziz,” who appears to rally these individuals under the name “Zizians.” Known for her elusive nature, Ziz has been sighted near multiple crime scenes and remains a person of interest as investigations deepen.
One notable individual tied to the group, Jack LaSota, previously earned a computer science degree and became embroiled in numerous controversies. LaSota, who identifies as a transgender woman, expressed her radical beliefs through a blog, where she controversially suggested that the human brain’s hemispheres might harbor conflicting desires. Her writings targeted various groups, often envisioning them as enemies and inciting followers to embrace her ideologies.
Experts in cult behavior highlight how LaSota’s ideas likely resonated with disenfranchised individuals seeking community and understanding in the age of digital identities. The appeal of her narrative seems to create a connection, leading followers toward increasingly violent actions.
Current legal troubles continue to surround LaSota, who missed multiple court appearances and has faced charges escalating from past protests to linked homicides. Following attacks on a landlord in California, LaSota remains at large, highlighting questions about her involvement in a series of violent encounters.
Further compounding these incidents, on New Year’s Eve, a heinous double homicide occurred in Pennsylvania, with alleged ties to individuals connected to LaSota’s group. As investigations unfold, the land where the unsettling behavior transpired has become a focal point of law enforcement scrutiny, with witnesses expressing fears about the bizarre actions of their neighbors.
The FBI’s probe into the Ziz group continues to unfold, weaving a complex tapestry of online radicalism and real-world violence that has left communities on edge and posed significant challenges for law enforcement across state lines.
