Maximilian Snyder, a 22-year-old Oxford-trained computer scientist, appeared in Solano County Superior Court on January 28, charged with capital murder for allegedly killing an 82-year-old Vallejo landlord, Curtis Lind. The motive behind the brutal act stems from preventing Lind from testifying in a murder case against Snyder’s former tenants. The complaint, filed by the Solano County District Attorney’s Office, accuses Snyder of “lying in wait” for Lind before fatally stabbing him outside his property on January 17.
While California’s death penalty remains paused since 2019, prosecutors could still pursue capital punishment for Snyder under the law. District Attorney Krishna Abrams expressed that Snyder is currently “death eligible.” However, the final decision on seeking the death penalty will be determined after Snyder’s preliminary hearing. Despite this, Snyder remains in custody without bail at the Solano County Jail in Fairfield.
Records reveal a glimpse into Snyder’s personal life, including his recent application for a marriage license in Washington with Teresa Youngblut. Youngblut, Snyder’s partner, was charged last week in connection with the fatal shooting of U.S. Border Patrol Agent David Maland in Vermont on January 20. The couple’s affiliation with a fringe group known as the Zizians, based in the Bay Area, raises questions about their involvement in violent or disruptive activities, as reported by court records and interviews conducted by Open Vallejo.
Before this tragic incident unfolded, Lind was set to testify against a group of young tenants who allegedly stabbed him in November 2022. The tenants, including Suri Dao, Emma Borhanian, and Alexander Leatham, attacked Lind, leading to a fatal altercation. Court records indicate that Dao and Leatham have since been charged with murder and attempted murder. The connection between these tenants and the Zizian ideology reveals a broader network of radical beliefs and actions.
The Zizian ideology, considered an offshoot of Rationalism, intertwines veganism and artificial intelligence theory. Members of this group, including Jack LaSota, have been involved in disruptive protests and legal battles. LaSota’s association with Lind’s former tenants sheds light on the underlying motivations and influences behind the violent events that unfolded in Vallejo.
The personal accounts of individuals involved in the rationalist community provide a deeper understanding of the ideological shifts and radicalization processes within the Zizian group. Autumn Russell, a member of the broader Rationalist community, shared her interaction with Felix Bauckholt, known as Ophelia, who disappeared mysteriously after expressing an interest in the Zizian ideology. Bauckholt’s tragic fate in the Vermont border patrol shootout, intertwined with Snyder and Youngblut’s involvement, underscores the interconnectedness of these individuals and their shared beliefs.
Despite the complexity of these interconnected events, the human stories behind the headlines reveal a web of relationships, motivations, and ideologies that culminated in violence and tragedy. The impending legal proceedings against Snyder and his associates will shed further light on the intricate details of this case, uncovering the depths of radicalization and its devastating consequences. The pursuit of justice for the victims, including Lind and Maland, remains at the forefront of these legal proceedings, seeking to bring closure to their families and communities affected by these senseless acts of violence.
