Family of 31-year-old American tourist killed in Hungary’s capital mourns loss, suspect in custody
Mackenzie Michalski was a nurse practitioner at Providence St. Vincent.
Mackenzie Michalski, a nurse practitioner from New York, was reported missing last week in Hungary. Local authorities have stated that she was murdered by a man she met during her trip and placed inside a suitcase.
The tragic death of 31-year-old American tourist Mackenzie Michalski in Budapest has left her family and friends in deep mourning. Mackenzie, a nurse practitioner from Portland, Oregon, was reported missing on November 5 after she was last seen at a nightclub in central Budapest. Her disappearance sparked a large-scale search operation, prompting her family to travel to Hungary to help in the efforts.
Mackenzie was last seen with a man at several nightclubs on the night of her disappearance. The suspect, a 37-year-old Irish citizen identified by the initials L.T.M., was detained on November 7. He later confessed to killing Mackenzie during what he claimed was an "intimate encounter" at his rented apartment. The suspect attempted to cover up the crime by cleaning the apartment and hiding Mackenzie's body in a wardrobe before placing it in a suitcase and disposing of it in a wooded area near Lake Balaton.
Before the confession, Michalski's family and friends launched a campaign to find her, creating a Facebook group to gather information about her disappearance. Her parents traveled to Hungary to assist in the search, but while en route, they heard that she had been murdered.
Mackenzie Michalski was a nurse practitioner at Providence St. Vincent, known for her compassionate and caring nature. She had been enjoying her time in Budapest, a city she had visited before and referred to as her "happy place."
The investigation tells that the suspect had made several suspicious internet searches before his arrest, including queries about disposing of a body and police procedures in missing person cases. The police were able to track the suspect's movements through security footage and eventually located Mackenzie's body based on his confession.
Mackenzie's family and friends are devastated by the loss. Her father, Bill Michalski, expressed his overwhelming grief at a candlelight vigil held in Budapest, saying, "There was no reason for this to happen. I’m still trying to wrap my arms around what happened ... I don’t know that I ever will". The family described Mackenzie as a beautiful and compassionate young woman who dedicated her life to caring for others.
The community has rallied around Mackenzie's family, offering support and condolences. A Facebook group called "Find Mackenzie Michalski" was created to collect tips on her location during the search. The group has since become a space for friends and family to share memories and tributes to Mackenzie.
