Michelle Zajko Charged in 2022 Parents' Murders, Prosecutors Say She Arranged Killings on 30th Birthday
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Jun 24
Michelle Zajko Charged in 2022 Parents' Murders, Prosecutors Say She Arranged Killings on 30th Birthday
3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Jun 24
Summary
Pennsylvania prosecutors said Michelle Zajko, 33, arranged the Dec. 31, 2022 killings of her parents on her 30th birthday and charged her with murder, burglary and conspiracy.
Years of cellphone analysis, ballistic evidence and a neighbor's doorbell video underpinned the case, authorities said, though investigators still do not know who fired the fatal shots.
Prosecutors said the video showed two people arriving before the shootings and captured someone yelling "Mom!" moments before gunfire; shell casings allegedly matched ammunition tied to Zajko's Vermont property and firing range.
Rita and Richard Zajko were found shot dead in their Chester Heights home hours after Rita texted her estranged daughter to apologize and wish her a happy birthday; prosecutors say the message went unanswered.
Zajko has denied involvement and is also accused of supplying the gun used in the January 2025 killing of U.S. Border Patrol Agent David Maland, one of several deaths linked to alleged Zizian members.