The Unraveling of LaSota
Fear and Uncertainty
That fear was evident among some rationalists as news of the violent incidents surrounding LaSota had spread. "I don’t want Ziz to ever think about me, ever," a person involved in the Bay Area rationalist community said in an interview in 2023. "I think I know enough to be correctly scared of Ziz."
The Court Ruling
That June, Judge Cappelli ruled against quashing the charges but reduced LaSota’s bail to $10,000, unsecured—meaning LaSota could sign a payment pledge and walk out. McGarrigle informed the court that LaSota’s mother had flown in from Alaska, "and she will take him home and make sure he comes back for all the court dates." The prosecutor seemed skeptical. "The Commonwealth’s concern is the flight," he told the judge. "There is literally zero ties to the community." What were the odds LaSota would show up for the next court date, in late August?
Sergeant Brian Parks’ Remarks
"I personally am not going to lose sleep over this matter," said Sergeant Brian Parks. "If they were here and running amok still, or running amok anywhere in the United States, causing concern for other agencies and people of our communities, then yeah, I’d want them prosecuted."
A Phone Call from Michelle
Around the same time, Michelle Zajko called her aunt Rosanne. They hadn’t spoken since the graveside service for Michelle’s parents that January. She hadn’t shown up at the memorial mass where Rosanne had eulogized Rita and Rick. But now Michelle was calling with a message: "She told me she wasn’t responsible" for the murders, Rosanne said. "But she said that she knew who was." She told her aunt that "LessWrong did it," and that she was "being targeted."
The Aftermath
Not long after, the trust that owned the house in Coventry, Vermont, where Michelle had lived with Alice Monday, sold it off. Michelle and Blank were both gone, having left the previous winter. When realtors came to inspect the property, they found the house had not been winterized, causing the pipes to burst. One of Blank’s family members, meanwhile, filed a national missing persons report, noting that he had last been seen in Pennsylvania, wore thick glasses, and had one eye that didn’t follow the other.
The Court Appearance
When LaSota’s court appearance came, on the morning of August 21, 2023, the courtroom gallery was full of defendants waiting to be called for the day’s pleas. Shortly after court was gaveled into session, an older woman with gray-blond hair pushed a wheelchair into the back of the courtroom. In it, slumped to one side and dressed in flowing black, was LaSota. Now her hair was black, and appeared even more disheveled than when she’d been in jail. She was wearing what appeared to be an industrial N95 respirator mask, with valves on either side. McGarrigle, approaching his client in the back of the courtroom, seemed surprised. "What’s going on?" he said, leaning in. "I mean, what’s going on with your health?"
The New Prosecutor
When LaSota’s case was called, the woman I later learned was LaSota’s mother wheeled her to the front, where she sat impassively in the chair, gazing blankly at the floor. A new prosecutor had replaced the old one, and requested a continuance to get on top of all the facts. The judge assented, pushing the trial to December. "I just want the record to reflect that the defendant is here, and we’re ready," McGarrigle said, before LaSota’s mother wheeled her back out through the doors.
Conclusion
The unraveling of LaSota’s case continued to unfold, with new developments and twists emerging at every turn. As the investigation into the murders and disappearances continued, the public remained on edge, wondering what was to come next.
FAQs
Q: What was the outcome of LaSota’s court appearance?
A: LaSota’s case was continued to December, with a new prosecutor requesting a continuance to gather more information.
Q: What was the reason for the continuance?
A: The new prosecutor wanted to get on top of all the facts in the case.
Q: What was LaSota’s health like during her court appearance?
A: LaSota appeared disheveled and was wearing an industrial N95 respirator mask with valves on either side. Her hair was black, and she seemed to be in a state of disarray.
Q: What was the outcome of the investigation into the murders and disappearances?
A: The investigation is ongoing, with new developments and twists emerging at every turn.
