Irish man suspected of killing US nurse arrested in Hungary

An Irish man, aged 37, has been arrested in Hungary in connection with the murder of American nurse Mackenzie Michalski, 31, from Portland, Oregon. Michalski was reported missing after a night out in Budapest on Tuesday, sparking a police investigation.

Authorities say the suspect, whose identity has not been officially disclosed, was identified through CCTV footage. After being detained, he reportedly confessed to killing Michalski, but claimed her death was accidental. According to Hungarian police, the man attempted to conceal the crime by renting a car, placing Michalski’s body in a suitcase, and hiding it in a wooded area near Szigliget, a village in western Hungary.

In a statement released on Saturday, police explained that the murder occurred during an “intimate encounter” between the suspect and Michalski, although no further details have been disclosed. Investigators determined that the pair met at a nightclub in Budapest, where they danced together before traveling to the suspect’s rented apartment.

Following the murder, the man reportedly stored Michalski’s body in a wardrobe as he cleaned the apartment to eliminate evidence. He then drove to the remote forest area, where he disposed of her body. The suspect was arrested at his apartment on Thursday evening and has since been remanded in custody while the investigation continues.

During their inquiry, police uncovered troubling evidence, including a series of online searches made by the suspect after Michalski’s disappearance. These searches included phrases such as “what does a dead body smell like after it decomposes?” and “how do the police handle missing person cases?” He also searched for information on whether pigs would eat human remains and the presence of wild boar around Lake Balaton, which is near the area where the body was eventually found.

Hungarian authorities released a video showing the suspect in handcuffs, guiding police officers through the woods where Michalski’s body was located. Sniffer dogs and forensic investigators were also present at the scene.

Michalski’s friends, who had been desperately searching for her since she was last seen, reported her missing after she failed to return to their accommodation. As the investigation progressed, police began to suspect foul play, eventually leading to the arrest of the Irish man. In addition to the disturbing online searches, the suspect’s efforts to conceal the crime raised further suspicion.

A Facebook group dedicated to finding Michalski, titled Find Mackenzie Michalski, revealed that the 31-year-old nurse often went by the nickname “Kenzie.” In the wake of her death, her friends and supporters gathered for a candlelight vigil outside the US Embassy in Budapest on Saturday to honor her memory.

This tragic case has shocked both the local community in Hungary and those back home in Oregon. As the investigation unfolds, authorities continue to piece together the details of what led to Michalski’s death, while the suspect remains in custody awaiting further legal proceedings.

This incident serves as a somber reminder of the dangers that can arise in unfamiliar surroundings, and it has raised questions about safety for travelers in Hungary. While authorities work to establish the full facts, the focus remains on bringing justice to Mackenzie Michalski and providing closure to her family and friends.