Daughter Of Slain Delco Couple Arrested In Maryland: Authorities

DELAWARE COUNTY, PA — The daughter of a Delaware County couple killed in 2022 has been taken into custody in Maryland, officials said.

According to Maryland State Police, Michelle Jacqueline Zajko 32, of Media, was taken into custody Sunday and charged with trespassing, obstructing and hindering, resisting arrest, and handgun on person.

Zajko's parents, Rita and Richard Zajko, ages 69 and 72, respectively, were found dead Jan. 2, 2023 in their Chester Heights home. Authorities said they were fatally shot Dec. 31, 2022.

Additionally, Jack Amadeus Lasota, 34, of Berkeley, California, and Daniel Arthur Blank, 26, of Sacramento, California were taken into custody in Frostburg, Maryland at about 2:30 p.m. Sunday.

Lasota was charged with trespassing, obstructing and hindering, firearm in vehicle; while Blank was arrested and charged with trespassing and obstructing and hindering.

Michelle Zajko was recently linked to the killing of Border Patrol Agent David Maland Jan. 2o in Coventry, Vermont recently, federal authorities said.

Pennsylvania State Police said an investigation into the shooting revealed that the weapon used in Maland's killing was purchased by a person of interest in the Zajko killings.

According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, Michelle Zajko is a member of a cult-like group. The group's reported leader, LaSota, was charged with obstruction of justice in Delaware County, just days after Rita and Richard Zajko were found dead, for refusing to answer detectives' questions. He has been issued a bench warrant after seemingly disappearing.

The Delaware County Daily Times reports authorities determined the bullet found in Richard Zajko's body matched ammunition she purchased in Vermont in February 2022.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives recently released an alert to all federal firearm dealers regarding Michelle Zajko, saying she is a person of interest in Maland's killing, according to VTDigger.com.

All three were transported to the Allegany County Detention Center for an appearance before a district court commissioner, where they are currently being held.