A former member of the extremist Zizian cult, believed to have died by suicide in 2022, has been found alive and in hiding, fearing for her safety.
The Post has learned that Gwen Danielson, whose supposed death was even accepted by her own lawyer, has been lying low to escape what she describes as the group’s “dangerous” influence.
A secret life in hiding
Danielson’s father, Brett, confirmed that she is still in contact with him but remains too afraid to resurface. “She checks in regularly, and I heard from her very recently, but she’s not ready to come out of hiding just yet,” he said. The fear stems from the cult’s radical ideology, which equates animal slaughter to murder and has reportedly justified violence against humans.
Zizian cult linked to multiple murders
The Zizian group, led by Jack “Ziz” LaSota, has been tied to at least four killings across the U.S., including a double homicide in Pennsylvania and a deadly shootout with a border agent in Vermont. LaSota, along with cult members Michelle Zajko and Daniel Blank, was arrested in Maryland last week after being caught trespassing with a firearm.
Authorities believe additional charges could be filed as prosecutors across multiple states investigate the group’s suspected involvement in violent crimes.
Faking death to escape
Rumors of Danielson’s death began after LaSota was reported missing in 2022, allegedly lost at sea in the San Francisco Bay. However, his disappearance turned out to be staged, as he was later found alive at a Pennsylvania hotel in 2023. Similarly, Danielson’s “death” was never confirmed, leading her family to believe she went into hiding to escape the cult’s influence.
Her father now hopes the recent arrests will allow his daughter to come out of hiding and move on. “I’m hoping that this allows [Gwen] to put things behind her,” he said.
A cult built on radical beliefs
The Zizian cult, which primarily consists of transgender and non-binary members, believes that taking estrogen leads to clearer thinking, according to Danielson’s father. Their ideology, mixed with extremist rationalism, has created a deadly environment, with multiple suicides and violent crimes linked to their ranks.
AI researcher Jessica Taylor, who knew several group members, initially viewed them as intellectuals but now sees them as something far more sinister. “I didn’t generally have the sense they could be violent,” she admitted. “Now I think they are a criminal gang.”
With their ringleaders behind bars and investigations ongoing, authorities hope to dismantle the dangerous network before more lives are lost.
