Cultlike group’s leader connected to 6 killings in 3 states ordered held without bail in Maryland

The leader of a cultlike group connected to six killings in three states was ordered held without bail Tuesday in Maryland, where she faces trespassing and other charges.

Jack LaSota, 34, of Berkeley, California, and two others arrested with her on Sunday appeared via videoconference for bail hearings in Allegany County District Court. A judge ordered all three held without bail, describing them as dangerous flight risks.

Allegany County State’s Attorney James Elliott said LaSota has faked her own death in the past and “appears to be the leader of an extremist group known as Zizians” that has been linked to multiple deaths.

But LaSota, who is known online as Ziz, asked for pretrial release, saying she was homeless with no means of traveling. Speaking haltingly, she also requested a vegan diet and said she was “in a mild state of delirium” due to lack of food.

“I haven’t done anything wrong,” she told the judge.

Read more: WBAL