'I killed 4 women': Used car salesman makes chilling revelation to nurse after he chloroformed woman and murdered her, cops say

A Florida antheral was arrested much than 17 months aft helium allegedly killed a pistillate with the assistance of chloroform earlier disposing of her assemblage successful an chartless location.

Ronald Chester Racki, 75, is facing a complaint of second-degree murder successful the decease of 24-year-old Laikyn Marie West successful Venice, cops said Friday astatine a press conference.

According to cops, West's roommate successful Bradenton reported her missing successful September 2024 aft not seeing her for 3 days. Investigators determined Racki was the past idiosyncratic to spot West alive. According to a probable origin apprehension affidavit obtained by the Sarasota Herald-Tribune, Racki and West spoke connected the telephone astir 8 a.m. connected Sept. 13, 2024.

Racki admitted to investigators that helium would wage her for intersexual favors. He picked her up that time and they went to Venice for lunch. But investigators could find nary grounds of him dropping her off.

Cops aboriginal learned from West's diary entries that Racki paid her much than $900 to usage chloroform connected her during sex. Racki claimed helium "never truly chloroformed her" though helium admitted helium utilized the cleaning merchandise astatine his utilized car dealership successful the 500 artifact of Spur Street.

Detectives obtained a warrant for Racki's telephone wherever they reportedly recovered respective disturbing images. There were photos of a nude West who was bound with handcuffs and cablegram ties. One of the pictures was taken astir 10 p.m. the time West went missing. Cops besides reportedly discovered convulsive pornography.

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In December 2024, a mates of weeks aft cops interviewed Racki astir West's disappearance, helium tried to perpetrate suicide, constabulary stated. While successful the hospital, helium reportedly told a caregiver "I killed 4 women six weeks ago," though detectives person not recovered immoderate credible grounds to backmost up this claim.

According to the affidavit, officers spoke with a car detailer who told them helium worked connected 1 of Racki's vehicles. He reportedly said helium noticed a suspicious stain connected the rear level and smelled an unusual odor.

Racki was arrested connected Friday greeting and taken to the Sarasota County Jail wherever helium remains without bond. His adjacent tribunal day is scheduled for March 20.

Police proceed to hunt for West's body.

"After months of cautious and coordinated investigative work, the grounds developed successful this lawsuit supports this apprehension and charge," said Venice Police Chief Andy Leisenring. "We stay committed to seeking justness for Laikyn West and to bringing answers to her family."