Hungarian authorities allege that an Irish man has confessed to murdering a 31-year-old US nurse, Mackenzie Michalski, during an “intimate encounter” at his Budapest flat before disposing of her body in a nearby wooded area.
According to police, Michalski, from Portland, Oregon, met the 37-year-old suspect, identified only by the initials LTM, at a nightclub while she was on vacation. Reports indicate that the suspect cleaned his apartment and concealed Michalski’s body in a wardrobe before placing it in a suitcase.
He is accused of renting a car and driving approximately 90 miles (150 km) to Lake Balaton, where he allegedly disposed of her body near the village of Szigliget. Police released video footage showing the suspect guiding authorities to the location where he left her remains.
Investigation revealed that the suspect had conducted online searches related to corpse disposal and the effectiveness of Budapest police. Additionally, he reportedly looked up information about procedures in missing persons cases, inquiries about whether pigs eat dead bodies, and the presence of wild boars around Lake Balaton.
The suspect was arrested on November 7, claiming that the incident occurred accidentally. Michalski had been reported missing two days prior, and police identified the suspect after reviewing CCTV footage showing the pair together at the nightclub, where they danced before leaving for his flat. Crime scene images depicted a suitcase, clothing, and a handbag found near a credit card bearing Michalski’s name.
Her family traveled to Hungary to assist in the search, only to learn of her tragic death during their journey. “There was no reason for this to happen,” her father, Bill Michalski, expressed during a candlelight vigil in Budapest. “I’m still trying to wrap my arms around what happened… I don’t know that I ever will.”
Wearing a cap given to him by his daughter, Mr. Michalski described how Michalski had previously visited Budapest, referring to it as her “happy place.” “The history… she just loved it and was so relaxed here,” he said.
A Facebook group created to help find Michalski described her as “Kenzie” and highlighted her career as a nurse, stating she would “forever be remembered as a beautiful and compassionate young woman.”
Credit: Sky News
