Venice man arrested on a homicide charge stemming from a 2024 missing person case

Venice man arrested on a homicide charge stemming from a 2024 missing person case

Francesco Abbruzzino, The Uncensored Report, LLC

 
 
 
COV
 
The Venice Police Department, in coordination with the Bradenton Police Department and FBI, announces the arrest this morning of Ronald Chester Racki on a homicide charge stemming from a 2024 missing person case.
 
Laikyn Marie West, 24, of Bradenton, was reported missing on Sept. 16, 2024, after last being seen on Sept. 13, 2024. As the investigation progressed, evidence indicated that the last known location where she was alive was in the City of Venice. Venice Police began assisting the Bradenton Police Department with follow-up investigative steps.
 
As additional evidence developed indicating this case was a homicide, and because critical investigative events occurred within the City’s jurisdiction, VPD assumed primary investigative responsibility.
 
At 5:43 a.m. Friday, Racki, 75, of Venice, was taken into custody and charged with second-degree murder in the case. There is evidence that Ms. West and Racki were known to each other and had arranged to meet, and Racki was the last person to see her alive.
 
Ms. West has not yet been located. However, Florida law allows law enforcement and prosecutors to move forward when the evidence supports that a homicide occurred and identifies the responsible party, even when remains have not been recovered.
 
This decision was made in consultation with the Office of the State Attorney for the 12th Judicial Circuit after careful review of the evidence in this investigation.
 
“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.”
 
Racki remains at the Sarasota County Jail without bond.