Suspect charged with murder in disappearance of Bradenton woman, police say
The Venice Police Department announced the arrest of a suspect allegedly involved in the murder of a missing Bradenton woman.
Early Friday morning, police arrested Venice man Ronald Chester Racki, 75, and charged him with second-degree-murder, according to the Venice Police Department. This arrest took place after a joint investigation between Venice police and the Bradenton Police Department.
“This investigation involved sustained, careful work over several months, and extensive coordination with our law enforcement partners and the state attorney’s office” Eric Hill, captain with the Venice Police Department, said in a press conference Friday.
Racki is being held at the Sarasota County Jail without bond.
“We do not believe there are any additional threats to the community,” Venice Police Chief Andy Leisenring said in the press conference. “There will be some specific facts that we will not be able to talk about or release just due to the ongoing investigations, and then the future criminal proceedings.”
In September 2024, Bradenton police received a report that Laikyn Marie West, 24, was missing. She was last seen by her housemate leaving home and being picked up in a white sedan. She then missed an out-of-state flight she had scheduled, and a missing person report was filed, according to police.
“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,” the Venice Police Department’s post said.
Venice man charged with Bradenton woman’s murder
According to Venice police, “evidence indicated that the last known location where she was alive was in the City of Venice.” As additional evidence became available, it indicated that the case was a homicide, police said.
Although West has not yet been located, Florida law permits law enforcement and prosecutors to proceed with charges when there is evidence to support that a homicide occurred and when a possible suspect has been identified.
The Venice Police Department says that the Office of the State Attorney for the 12th Judicial Circuit made a “careful review of the evidence” and consulted with the police department during this decision.
“After months of careful and coordinated investigative work, the evidence developed in this case supports this arrest and charge,” Leisenring said. “We remain committed to seeking justice for Laikyn West and to bringing answers to her family.”
