Insets: Laikyn Marie West and Ronald Racki (Venice police). Background: The 500 block of Spur Street in Venice, Florida. where Racki owns a used car dealership (Google Maps).
A Florida man has been apprehended nearly a year and a half after allegedly murdering a woman with chloroform and disposing of her body in an undisclosed location.
Authorities announced on Friday that Ronald Chester Racki, 75, is charged with second-degree murder in connection with the death of 24-year-old Laikyn Marie West in Venice. The information was shared during a press conference.
The investigation was launched when West’s roommate in Bradenton reported her missing in September 2024, having not seen her for three days. Detectives identified Racki as the last person to have seen West alive. Documents from a probable cause arrest affidavit, accessed by the Sarasota Herald-Tribune, indicate that Racki and West had a phone conversation around 8 a.m. on September 13, 2024.
Racki confessed to investigators that he paid West for sexual services, recounting that he picked her up that day, and they went to Venice for a meal. However, investigators could not find any evidence that he returned her home.
Further scrutiny revealed from West’s personal journal that Racki had paid her over $900 to engage in sexual activities involving chloroform. Racki, however, denied ever using chloroform on her, though he acknowledged using the substance at his used car dealership on Spur Street.
Upon obtaining a warrant to search Racki’s phone, detectives reportedly uncovered several unsettling images. The photos included images of a nude West, restrained with handcuffs and cable ties, with one image timestamped around 10 p.m. on the day she disappeared. Additionally, officers reportedly found violent pornographic content on his device.
In December 2024, a couple of weeks after cops interviewed Racki about West’s disappearance, he tried to commit suicide, police stated. While in the hospital, he reportedly told a nurse “I killed four women six weeks ago,” although detectives have not found any credible evidence to back up this claim.
According to the affidavit, officers spoke with a car detailer who told them he worked on one of Racki’s vehicles. He reportedly said he noticed a suspicious stain on the rear floor and smelled an odd odor.
Racki was arrested on Friday morning and taken to the Sarasota County Jail where he remains without bond. His next court date is scheduled for March 20.
Police continue to search for West’s body.
“After months of careful and coordinated investigative work, the evidence developed in this case supports this arrest and charge,” said Venice Police Chief Andy Leisenring. “We remain committed to seeking justice for Laikyn West and to bringing answers to her family.”
