Hernando County Sheriff Al Nienhuis and Citrus County Sheriff Mike Prendergast held a Press Conference on the morning of June 17, 2024 updating the public on recent arrests for two homicides. The homicides were discovered during a joint investigation into the disappearance of Jamie Lin MacDonald who was recently reported missing from Hernando County on May 12, 2024.
During the search for MacDonald, detectives discovered a second victim, identified as Kenneth Zikendrath. Zikendrath had not been reported missing and may have died 1-2 years ago.
Nienhuis reported that MacDonald had recently contacted the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) regarding a problem with an individual who was ruled out in her disappearance. However Lue’Quita Sclesky was with MacDonald at the time of the contact with HCSO. At the commencement of the investigation into MacDonald’s disappearance, HCSO investigated both Lue’Quita and Duane Sclesky, connecting them to MacDonald in what is described as a “high risk lifestyle.” Zikendrath was also found to have connections to the Scleskys.
Zikendrath was found in Hernando county, in an undisclosed location between Commercial Way and Mariner Boulevard. MacDonald was discovered in Citrus county on June 14th. Autopsy reports were not available during the press conference, however Nienhuis stated that they both were victims of violence.
HCSO and CCSO interviewed the Scleskys after the two were found to have used MacDonald’s credit card at an ATM. During the interview, probable cause was found charge the couple.
32 year old Lue’Quita Sclesky was arrested on charges of homicide, criminal use of personal identification, unlawful possession of a stolen credit / debit card, unlawful use of a two-way communication device and violation of probation. 38 year old Duane Sclesky was arrested for homicide, driving with license suspended or revoked, possession of paraphernalia and trafficking in Fentanyl.
Sheriff Prendergast said, “What’s important about this, is think about these victims. They may have lived a high-risk lifestyle, but they did not deserve to die that way.” He added that any friends or family members of the victims or associates should get in touch with either agency with any additional information.