31-Year-Old American Tourist Murdered in Budapest, Suspect in Custody

BUDAPEST: A 31-year-old American tourist was found de while vacationing in Budapest, Hungary's capital. victim, identified as Mackenzie Michalski from Portland, Oregon, h been reported missing for several days. According to reports, a 37-year-old, suspect has been arrested in connection with killing.

Michalski was reportedly last seen at a nightclub in central Budapest. Police launched a missing person investigation, reviewing security foot from local nightclubs where Michalski was seen with a man, later identified as suspect, at several venues night of her disappearance.

suspect, an Irish citizen identified by initials L.T.M., was detained on evening of v. 7 and confessed to crime during questioning. Investigators stated that Michalski and suspect met at a nightclub and danced before leaving toger for man’s rented apartment. According to police, man killed Michalski during an "intimate encounter" and attempted to cover up crime by cleaning apartment and hiding her body in a wardrobe. He later bought a suitcase, placed her body inside, rented a car, and drove around 90 miles (150 kilometers) to Lake Balaton, where he disposed of body in a wooded area near town of Szigliget.

Police ted that suspect h conducted internet searches on topics such as body disposal, police procedures for missing persons, wher pigs eat de bodies, and presence of wild boars in Lake Balaton area. Crime scene photographs released by police showed a rolling suitcase, various articles of clothing including a pair of fleece-lined boots, and a small handbag beside a credit card bearing Michalski’s name.

Prior to confession, Michalski's family and friends h launched a search effort, starting a Facebook group to gar information on her whereabouts. Her parents traveled to Hungary to assist with search but learned of her death while en route.

At a candlelight vigil in Budapest on Saturday night, Michalski’s far, Bill Michalski, expressed his grief, telling Associated Press he was “still overcome with emotion” at his daughter’s death.

In a post on Facebook group “Find Mackenzie Michalski,” an ministrator shared that Michalski, who went by “Kenzie,” was a nurse practitioner who “will forever be remembered as a beautiful and compassionate young woman.” Michalski h previously visited Budapest and called it her "happy place," her far told AP.

“She loved history and felt so relaxed here,” he said. “This was her city.”

(Inputs from AP)