Florida Man Charged With Murder of Woman Who Disappeared in 2024

Ronald Chester Racki, a 75-year-old used car salesman, was arrested and charged with second-degree murder in the death of 24-year-old Laikyn Marie West.

Feb. 24, 2026 at 1:55am

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A Florida man was arrested and charged with second-degree murder in the case of a 24-year-old woman who disappeared in 2024. Venice Police arrested Ronald Chester Racki, a 75-year-old used car salesman, on Friday, alleging that he killed Laikyn Marie West, who was last seen on September 13, 2024. Investigators say cell phone records show Racki and West spoke the day she disappeared, and Racki agreed to meet her to pay for sex, but her body has not been found.

Why it matters

This case highlights the challenges law enforcement faces in solving missing persons cases, especially when there is no body recovered. It also raises questions about the potential dangers of sex work and the need for better protections for vulnerable individuals.

The details

According to police, West's roommate reported her missing three days after her disappearance. Investigators say cell phone records show Racki and West spoke the day she disappeared, and Racki agreed to meet her to pay for sex. Racki claimed he dropped West off in Bradenton, but no witnesses corroborated his statement, and license plate readers did not pick up his vehicle in the area. Racki later told detectives he had fantasized about chloroforming West during sex, and police found photos on his phone of West lying naked and bound with zip ties and handcuffs, taken on the day she was last seen. Racki's phone also contained searches for violent pornography and 'snuff' content. A car detailer also told investigators he had deep cleaned a pickup truck for Racki around September 2024 and saw a stain on the rear floor.

  • On September 13, 2024, Laikyn Marie West was last seen.
  • On December 14, 2024, Racki met with detectives after they had found an entry in West's journal saying a man had paid her $950 to allow him to chloroform her during sex.
  • On December 20, 2024, investigators executed a search warrant on Racki's phone and found photographs of West lying naked and bound.
  • On the same day, December 20, 2024, the Sarasota Sheriff's Office responded to an attempted suicide by Racki.
  • In April 2025, a car detailer told investigators he had deep cleaned a pickup truck for Racki around September 2024 and saw a stain on the rear floor.

The players

Ronald Chester Racki

A 75-year-old used car salesman who was arrested and charged with second-degree murder in the death of Laikyn Marie West.

Laikyn Marie West

A 24-year-old woman who disappeared in 2024 and whose body has not been found.

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What they’re saying

“After months of careful and coordinated investigative work, the evidence developed in this case supports this arrest and charge. We remain committed to seeking justice for Laikyn West and to bringing answers to her family.”

— Andy Leisenring, Venice Police Chief

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Ronald Chester Racki out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights the challenges law enforcement faces in solving missing persons cases, especially when there is no body recovered, and the need for better protections for vulnerable individuals involved in sex work.