West Palm Beach Police Arrest Murder Suspect

Published on February 28, 2025

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (February 28, 2025) -- Laura Lee Willsey, 56, was reported missing by her daughter on Tuesday, July 30, 2024. At the time of her disappearance, Willsey was renting a room in a home along the 5200 block of Garden Ave. in West Palm Beach.

During a search of Willsey's residence, detectives with the West Palm Beach Police Department discovered blood spatter and droplets inside and outside of the home.

Detectives also reviewed security footage filmed at the property on July 29, 2024. In reviewing the video, they saw and heard evidence of an argument between Willsey, Todd Arthur Reichert, 56, and Timothy Wyman Smith, 64.

A witness later came forward and provided additional details of the July 29 argument. The witness told detectives that Reichert could be heard hitting Willsey in the bedroom she rented. Additionally, the witness told detectives that the crumpling of plastic trash bags could be heard on Willsey's bedroom floor and living room. The witness also stated that Reichert said he was driving to Belle Glade and not taking his phone to avoid being tracked. Reichert then left in his 2010 Volkswagen and returned two and a half hours later.

A search warrant was later executed on Reichert's Volkswagen, and detectives also discovered blood inside the vehicle. DNA analysis later determined the blood to be Willsey's.

After a thorough investigation involving the West Palm Beach Police Department's Homicide Unit, along with multiple specialty units within the agency, probable cause was established and delivered to the Palm Beach County Jail, where Reichert was being held on unrelated charges. Reichert is facing charges of Murder in the First Degree 782.04 (1A1), a Felony violation of Florida State Statutes.

Case no. 2024-0012567

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Contact: 

Rachel Leitao, Public Information Officer

West Palm Beach Police Department

PDPIO@wpb.org