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BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — Budapest Police have released new details after a Western New York native, who went missing while traveling in Hungary, was killed.
Family and friends of 31-year-old Mackenzie Michalski reported her missing to the U.S. Embassy on Tuesday.
Budapest Police launched an investigation and obtained surveillance video of Michalski dancing with a man at several nightclubs before heading to his rented apartment.
A 37-year-old Irish man with the initials LTM was arrested at the apartment on Wednesday. According to police, he confessed to killing Michalski and led officers to her body.
An investigation revealed that LTM killed Michalski while the two were intimate but told police it was an accident. He allegedly hid her body in his closet while he went out to buy a suitcase, then put her body in the suitcase and left her in the Lake Balaton woods in an area outside Szigliget.
The investigation also revealed that LTM searched the following online:
LTM was taken into custody. Police released a video of LTM being processed.
A State Department spokesperson confirmed to 7 News that they were aware of reports that Hungarian police detained a suspect in connection with the disappearance.
The following statement was released on behalf of Michalski’s loved ones:
On Thursday, we spoke with Michalski’s friend, Gretchen Tower. The two were traveling through Europe, and Hungary was their last stop.
Tower described the whole situation as a “nightmare.”
“We had a great three days in Hungary,” Tower said. “Exploring, eating, walking the city.”
On Monday, the friends went their separate ways. Tower was heading to Italy to visit some friends and Michalski stayed behind for one more night in Budapest.
The two traded text messages late Monday night.
“She was at a bar in the Jewish ruin district having a glass of wine,” said Tower. “It looked like she was having dinner.”
Tower said she responded to a message from Michalski at around 12:45 a.m. Tuesday. That was the last time they communicated. Then Tower received messages from Airbnb that Michalski hadn’t checked out.
“This is completely uncharacteristic of her, she would never do this, I don’t know what’s going on,” Tower said.
Later Tuesday, Tower called the U.S. Embassy to report Michalski missing.
“She was kind, loving, bright, articulate, responsible,” said Tower.
On Friday, 7 News learned through law enforcement and local media that Michalski was found dead and a man was arrested, you can watch our previous report below.
A GoFundMe was established to support her family which you can find online here.
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