Mackenzie Michalski, a nurse and New York native who went lacking whereas vacationing in Hungary final week, was killed throughout an “intimate encounter” by an Irish man she met throughout an evening out within the nation’s capital metropolis, in response to native police.
Michalski was final seen at a nightclub in Budapest within the early hours of Nov. 5, legislation enforcement stated. Her associates had turn out to be involved once they had been unable to get in contact, in order that they alerted Budapest police to her disappearance later that day.
Amid their seek for lacking Michalski, investigators combed by way of safety footage from native nightclubs the place they noticed the 31-year-old nurse with a person, who has since been arrested for her homicide. His identify has not been launched, however he was recognized in courtroom paperwork by initials LTM.
LTM, a 38-year-old Irish citizen, was arrested on Nov. 7. He allegedly confessed to killing Michalski shortly thereafter, however claimed it was an accident. Police stated he and Michalski met at a membership and danced earlier than leaving for LTM’s rented condo, the place he allegedly killed her throughout a romantic tryst.
Within the quick aftermath, he stashed her physique in a wardrobe and scrubbed his condo clear earlier than buying a suitcase and stuffing her stays inside.
He then rented a automobile and drove to Lake Balaton, round 100 miles southwest of Budapest, the place he disposed of the physique in a wood space exterior the city of Szigliget. Police stated the suspect finally led them to the spot.
“At present, it is not possible to establish exactly how the victim was killed and this is the subject of the ongoing investigation,” authorities stated in an announcement earlier this week.
Throughout a candlelit vigil over the weekend, the sufferer’s father, Invoice Michalski, stated he was “still overcome with emotion” and that he’s working to course of his daughter’s tragic loss of life.
“There was no reason for this to happen,” he stated. “I’m still trying to wrap my arms around what happened … I don’t know that I ever will.”
Buddies maintain candles whereas remembering Mackenzie Michalski, an 31-year-old American vacationer who was murdered whereas on trip, throughout a candlelight vigil in Budapest, Hungary, Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024. (Bela Szandelszky/AP)
A Fredonia, N.Y. native, Michalski labored for a number of years at Buffalo Normal earlier than relocating to Portland, Ore., the place she labored as a neurosurgery nurse practitioner at Windfall St. Vincent.
“Those who worked with her and knew her best say Kenzie was kind and loving — a great friend and a valued caregiver who lived out our Providence mission and values in her daily life,” the medical middle stated in an announcement.
The U.S. State Division confirmed they’re working with the U.S. Embassy in Budapest and native police to convey the suspect to justice.
Initially Revealed: November 12, 2024 at 4:33 PM EST
