Our story

Ryan VanLuchene was just 8 years old when he was at home playing in his backyard in a rural Montana town, when he was kidnapped, sexually assaulted and murdered by a repeat sex offender. Before leaving prison just a few weeks prior, Ryan’s abductor told prison officials he would commit another sex crime if he was released and this time, he’d leave no witnesses. 

Regardless of the daily heartache, Ryan’s family has never given up fighting for the safety of children and assisting victim’s families to ensure that Ryan’s death was not in vain. Working with law enforcement, prosecutors, corrections officials and communities, Ryan’s family has worked to provide resources and tools to ensure that sensible solutions are brought to the forefront and used to protect our communities from child predation through the non-profit that honors Ryan’s life, which has united us all. 

Our mission with Ryan United is three fold; first we want to make sure that sex offenders are held accountable for their crimes. We have legislated in Montana and several other states for stronger, sensible laws regarding sex offender sentencing and monitoring. In addition, I have been involved in making sure Law Enforcement understand the importance of their role in managing sex offenders, in addition to responding correctly when a child goes missing. I have talked to thousands of criminal justice professionals across the country and asked them to join us in our mission. I have spent the past 18 years in Law Enforcement in Montana, which enables me to see these issues from two perspectivesand offers a rare insight to my colleagues across the country.

Secondly, we strive to ensure that communities across the country are safe. We have created the RU Safe Communities Program, which I have personally delivered in several communities throughout my state as well as several others in the west. The RU Safe Communities program is an informative, hands-on training designed for communities or community groups who are interested in establishing a plan to keep their communities and children safe.

RU Safe Communities Program offers real solutions and assists communities in organizing their ideas and forming lasting safeguards.

Ryan United partners with key stakeholders in each community (i.e law enforcement, corrections) to identify potential areas of concern in each community, thus creating a dialog between community and key leaders. Communities are left with the tools they need to build a safer living environment.

Lastly, Ryan United has helped several victims of crime across the country, who have face similar tragedies. We are currently helping four families who have loved ones missing. With my Law Enforcement background, I have been instrumental in bridging the gap between victims and law enforcement, which has helped to rejuvenate these cases. We have also helped raise money for victim families who need some extra help during their times of tragedy.