‘I killed four women’: Man arrested for drugging, killing woman told nurse he had killed 4

VENICE, Fla. (WKRC) – A man has been arrested more than 17 months after he allegedly murdered a woman and disposed of her body.

Ronald Chester Racki, 75, is now facing a second-degree murder charge for his role in the death of 24-year-old Laikyn Marie West in Venice, Florida, according to the Venice Police Department.

According to police, West’s roommate originally reported her missing in September of 2024 after not seeing her for three days. Through an investigation, Racki was determined to be the last person to see West alive. Official documents state that Racki and West had spoken on the phone around 8 a.m. on September 13, 2024.

During the investigation, Racki admitted to investigators that he would pay West for “sexual favors.” He said that he had picked her up that day and that they went to Venice for lunch, but investigators found no evidence that he dropped her off afterwards, according to the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.

Cops would later discover journal entries from West that stated Racki paid her nearly $1,000 to use chloroform on her during sex. Racki countered this claim, saying he “never really chloroformed her,” though he later admitted to using the product at his used car dealership.

Detectives then obtained a warrant for Racki’s phone. On the phone, they reportedly found several disturbing images. Some of the photos showed a nude West, who was also bound with handcuffs and cable ties. One of those pictures detectives found was taken around 10 p.m. the day West went missing.

Additionally, cops found what they described as “violent pornography.”

In December of 2024, just a couple weeks after Racki spoke to police about West’s disappearance, he attempted to commit suicide but was unsuccessful. That’s when the case took a sharp turn.

While hospitalized from his suicide attempt, West allegedly told a nurse that he had “killed four women six weeks ago,” according to Fox 13. So far, detectives have not found any credible evidence to support this claim.

Police eventually talked to a car detailer who told them that he had worked on one of Racki’s vehicles. He said that while he was cleaning the car, he noticed a suspicious stain on the rear floor. He also said the car had an “odd odor.”

Racki was then arrested and taken to the Sarasota County Jail, where he still remains without bond. He’s expected to appear in court on March 20. Meanwhile, police are continuing 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.”