Florida nurse hears ‘I killed 4 women’ while treating a used car salesman post his suicide attempt

On Feb. 20, 2026, Florida police arrested 75-year-old Ronald Racki in connection with the disappearance and presumed death of 24-year-old Laikyn Marie West of Bradenton, Florida.

According to Racki’s probable cause affidavit, Racki tried to take his own life in Dec. 2024, and told a nurse he “killed four women six weeks ago,” though police have so far not linked Racki to any other cases besides West’s.

According to the Sarasota Herald-Tribune, West was last seen on Sept. 13, 2024, leaving her home in Bradenton. Her roommate reported her missing on Sept. 16, 2024, after she failed to return and missed scheduled plans.

According to authorities at a press conference announcing Racki’s arrest, Racki told detectives he picked West up from her home and drove her to Venice, where he planned to pay her for sexual favors; he later claimed he dropped her off back in Bradenton. However, investigators found no independent evidence confirming her return.

Cell phone records show that West and Racki communicated on the morning of her disappearance. Law enforcement says Racki, who lived in Venice, Florida, was the last confirmed person to speak with her.

Detectives confronted Racki with a journal entry written by West, in which she noted a man had paid her $925 to chloroform her during a sexual encounter.

Phone evidence and red flags

In December 2024, investigators executed a search warrant on Racki’s cellphone. They uncovered photographs of West fully nude and bound with handcuffs and cable ties, taken at approximately 9:59 p.m. on Sept. 13, 2024 — the night she was last seen, according to reports. Racki’s phone also contained searches for violent, explicit content.

During a December interview with detectives, Racki acknowledged owning chloroform, saying he used it to clean car seats, but denied ever using it on West. He also acknowledged having fantasies involving restraints and similar themes.

On Dec. 20, 2024, the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office responded to what it described as Racki’s suicide attempt. He was taken to Sarasota Memorial Hospital, where he remained under care through early January 2025.

While hospitalized, his medical records reportedly included a nurse’s note in which Racki said he had “killed four women six weeks ago.” Investigators stress there is no independent evidence that he was involved in any deaths beyond West’s case.

What happened to Laikyn West?

Racki remains held without bond at the Sarasota County Jail, and his next court appearance is scheduled for March 20, 2026. Venice Police Chief Andy Leisenring said authorities worked “months of careful and coordinated investigative work” leading to the arrest.

As of late February 2026, West’s body has not been recovered, and investigators believe she is deceased but have not located her remains. Authorities have urged anyone with information related to West’s disappearance or Racki’s activities to contact the Venice Police Department or Crime Stoppers.