Police in southwest Florida have arrested Ronald Chester Racki, a 75-year-old Venice resident, for the murder of 24-year-old Laikyn Marie West, who vanished more than a year ago. Detectives say Racki was the last person to see West alive.
West, who lived in Bradenton, disappeared on September 13, 2024. Three days later, after she missed a flight and never returned home, her housemate reported her missing to Bradenton police. According to the housemate, West left their home with someone driving a white sedan. She never came back.
The case quickly shifted from a missing person’s report to a homicide investigation as police gathered evidence. Understanding the situation hinged on the fact that West and Racki knew each other and had met in Venice that day. Investigators say multiple independent pieces of evidence lined up over time, giving them probable cause for the arrest. No single clue solved it—it was the bigger picture.
Police arrested Racki on February 20. As of now, there’s no word on his legal representation or whether he’s entered a plea.
Authorities haven’t found West’s remains yet. Venice Police Captain Eric Hill made it clear at a press conference that the search isn’t over. Even though they have an arrest, they’re still working to bring closure to West’s family, who’ve been waiting for answers since last fall. Police are urging anyone with information, no matter how minor it seems, to come forward.
The Venice and Bradenton police departments, along with the FBI, coordinated Racki’s arrest. They haven’t shared details about the relationship between Racki and West, and because the investigation is ongoing, some facts are staying confidential for now.
Florida law allows investigators to charge someone with homicide when evidence supports it, despite the victim’s body remaining unfound. That’s the situation here; police believe they have enough to move forward.
If you know anything about Laikyn Marie West’s disappearance, police want to hear from you. Call Sarasota County Crime Stoppers at (941) 366-8477. West’s family deserves answers.
