BUDAPEST, Hungary — A tragic incident occurred in Hungary’s capital, leading to the death of a 31-year-old American tourist. Local authorities reported that a 37-year-old man from Ireland has been apprehended as the primary suspect in the case. The victim, identified as Mackenzie Michalski from Portland, Oregon, was last seen at a nightclub on November 5, which prompted her family to report her missing shortly afterward.
Authorities commenced a missing person investigation and reviewed surveillance footage from various nightclubs throughout central Budapest. It was during this review that they noticed Michalski socializing with the suspected man at multiple venues during the hours leading up to her disappearance. Following this investigation, police arrested the Irish man on the evening of November 7.
According to investigators, Michalski and the suspect met at the nightclub, where they spent some time dancing prior to leaving together to the man’s rental apartment. Unfortunately, it was there that the suspect allegedly killed Michalski during what was described as an “intimate encounter.” The suspect, referred to by his initials L.T.M., reportedly confessed to the act but claimed it was accidental in nature.
After the incident, the suspect attempted to conceal his crime by cleaning up the apartment and hiding Michalski’s body within a wardrobe. He subsequently purchased a suitcase and placed her remains inside it before renting a vehicle to drive to Lake Balaton, which is approximately 90 miles (150 kilometers) southwest of Budapest. There, he disposed of her body in a wooded area near Szigliget.
Video footage released by law enforcement depicted the suspect leading investigators to the site where he abandoned the body. Authorities noted that prior to his arrest, the suspect had conducted several online searches related to body disposal methods, police protocols for missing persons cases, and questions regarding the dietary habits of pigs and the presence of wild boars in the Lake Balaton region. Additionally, he showed concern about the effectiveness of the Budapest police service.
As the investigation unfolds, Michalski’s parents are reported to be in Budapest at this time. Meanwhile, a dedicated Facebook group named “Find Mackenzie Michalski,” established shortly after her disappearance, features heartfelt tributes describing her as a caring and beautiful young woman, remembered fondly by those who knew her.