True Crime

Trans death cult defector found alive after faking her death in 2022

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.

Herbert Bauernebel

Herbert Bauernebel has been reporting from New York since 1999 and currently works for Bild.de, OE24 TV, and US Live. He also runs the news portal AmerikaReport.de. Bauernebel has covered nearly all major US events of the past quarter-century, including 9/11, Hurricane Katrina, Barack Obama’s election, Donald Trump’s surprise victory, the pandemic, last year’s election showdown, as well as natural disasters such as hurricanes and oil spills. He has also reported firsthand on international events, including the Asian tsunami, the Haiti earthquake, and the Fukushima disaster. He lives in Brooklyn with his family and holds degrees in communication and political science from the University of Vienna. Bauernebel is the author of a book about his experiences on 9/11, And the Air Was Full of Ash: 9/11 – The Day That Changed My Life.

Share
Published by
Herbert Bauernebel

Recent Posts

Support for Friends Grieving a Lost Pet

PARIS — The longing and sorrow from losing a pet can surprisingly persist for months,…

9 minutes ago

Gabby Petito case: Cassie Laundrie breaks silence about family’s role

Cassie Laundrie is finally speaking out. She has kept quiet for almost two years. Recently,…

11 minutes ago

Pope at rest; Argentinians in Rome hold recovery prayers

In Rome, Pope Francis continues his recovery, described as critical yet stable, after contracting double…

35 minutes ago

Trump shares his Gaza 2025 vision on Truth Social

Donald Trump has unveiled a daring plan for Gaza. He has big ideas to transform…

36 minutes ago

Sudan Plane Crash Fatalities Increase to 46

In a tragic incident in Sudan, the death toll from a military plane crash in…

49 minutes ago

Leavitt takes over White House press pool: What it means for reporters

On Tuesday, Karoline Leavitt, the 27-year-old press secretary, made a big move that shocked the…

1 hour ago