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2024-11-10 03:28:00
BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — Relatives of a 31-year-old American tourist killed while on vacation in the Hungarian capital expressed condolences over her death on Saturday, while a 37-year-old suspect was taken into custody.
The victim, Mackenzie Michalski, from Portland, Oregon, was reported missing on November 5 and was last seen at a nightclub in downtown Budapest. Police began investigating her disappearance and reviewed security footage from local nightclubs, where they saw Michalski with a man who was later identified as a suspect at several nightclubs on the night of her disappearance.
The man was arrested on November 7 and interviewed by police, later admitting to murder.
Prior to her confession, Michalski’s family and friends had begun efforts to find her and created a Facebook group to gather clues about her whereabouts. Her parents traveled to Hungary to help in the search, but along the way they learned she had been murdered.
At a candlelight vigil in Budapest on Saturday night, the victim’s father, Bill Michalski, told The Associated Press that he was still “emotional” about his daughter’s death.
“There’s no reason for this to happen,” he said. “I’m still trying to understand what happened…I don’t know if I would ever do this.”
Police arrested the Irish suspect on the evening of November 7. Investigators said Michalski and the suspect met and danced at a nightclub before heading to the apartment the man rented. Police said the man killed Michalski during an “intimate encounter.”
The suspect, identified by police by his initials LTM, admitted the murder but said it was an accident. Police said he tried to cover up his crimes by cleaning out the apartment, hiding Michalski’s body in a closet and then purchasing a suitcase in which he placed the body.
He then rented a car and drove to Lake Balaton, about 150 kilometers (90 miles) southwest of Budapest, dumping the body in a wooded area outside the town of Sigliget.
A video released by police showed the suspect leading authorities to where he placed the body. Police said the suspect had searched online before his arrest on questions such as how to dispose of corpses, police procedures for handling missing persons cases, whether pigs really eat corpses and whether there are wild boars around Lake Balaton.
He also researched the capabilities of Budapest police online.
Crime scene photos released by police showed a rolling suitcase, several items of clothing, including a pair of fleece-lined boots, a small wallet and a credit card with Michalski’s name on it.
According to a post by an administrator in a Facebook group called “Looking for Mackenzie Michalski” created on Nov. 7, Michalski, known as “Kenzie,” was a nurse who “will always be remembered as a beautiful and Compassionate young people”. Miss. ”.
Michalski’s father spoke briefly to those gathered at a candlelight vigil in Budapest on Saturday, wearing a baseball cap he said his daughter had given him.
Michalski had visited Budapest before and called the city his “happy place,” his father told The Associated Press.
“She just loved her history and felt so relaxed here,” she said. “This is his city.”
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This story was translated from English by AP editors with the help of generated artificial intelligence tools.
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**Interview with Bill Michalski, Father of Mackenzie Michalski**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Bill. The whole world is grieving with you and your family over the tragic loss of your daughter. Can you share a bit about Mackenzie and what she meant to you?
**Bill Michalski:** Thank you for having me. Mackenzie was a vibrant, adventurous spirit. She had a passion for travel and loved exploring new cultures. Her warmth and kindness touched everyone she met. It’s devastating to know that her journey ended this way.
**Editor:** It must be incredibly painful to learn about her disappearance and subsequent murder while searching for her in Hungary. What was that experience like for you and your family?
**Bill Michalski:** It was like a nightmare that we couldn’t wake up from. We had hope that we could find her safe. My wife and I traveled to Hungary as soon as we realized something was wrong. We were actively searching and connecting with friends and strangers to gather any information. When we learned she had been murdered, it felt like the ground was pulled from under us.
**Editor:** The suspect, who has been arrested, has admitted to the murder but claims it was an accident. What are your thoughts on this?
**Bill Michalski:** Honestly, I find it hard to process. Regardless of the circumstances, it doesn’t justify what he did. My daughter is gone, and there’s no excuse for that. I don’t think there’s ever a real understanding of how something like this could happen.
**Editor:** During this time, you held a candlelight vigil in Budapest. What did that mean to you and the community that came together to honor Mackenzie?
**Bill Michalski:** It was incredibly moving. The support from the community, both local and those who knew Mackenzie, brought some comfort during this horrific time. We were surrounded by love and remembrance, which is something I’ll always cherish. It was a small way to celebrate her life and the impact she had on others.
**Editor:** As you navigate the next steps, what do you hope will come from this tragedy?
**Bill Michalski:** I hope that Mackenzie’s story raises awareness about safety, especially for travelers. This shouldn’t happen to anyone. My family and I want to ensure her memory lives on, and that we can prevent other families from facing this kind of heartache.
**Editor:** Thank you, Bill, for sharing your thoughts and memories of Mackenzie. Our hearts are with you and your family during this incredibly difficult time.
**Bill Michalski:** Thank you for your kindness. It means a lot to us.
