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    • Western New York native traveling to Hungary found dead, man arrested for murder
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    Western New York native traveling to Hungary found dead, man arrested for murder

    Online Niel Posted on

    BUFFALO, NY (WKBW) — Police in Budapest have released new details after a Western New York native who went missing while traveling in Hungary has been found dead.

    Family and friends of 31-year-old Mackenzie Michalski reported her missing to the US Embassy on Tuesday.

    Budapest police launched an investigation and obtained surveillance video of Michalski dancing with a man in several nightclubs before heading to his rented apartment.

    A 37-year-old Irishman, with the initials LTM, was arrested at the flat 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 in the suitcase and left it in the forest of Lake Balaton, in an area outside Szigliget.

    The investigation also revealed that LTM searched online for the following:

    • “Do pigs really eat corpses?”
    • “Texas Woman Killed by Boar”.
    • “Boar sighting in towns on the shores of Lake Balaton.”
    • “What does a dead body smell like after it decomposes?”
    • “To get rid of the smell of rotting meat.”
    • “Webcams in Budapest”.
    • “What happens after a person is reported missing?”
    • “How do police handle missing person cases?”
    • “How reliable is the police in Budapest?”

    LTM was taken into custody. A State Department spokesperson confirmed to 7 News that they are aware of reports that Hungarian police have a suspect in connection with the disappearance.

    The following statement was released on behalf of Michalski’s loved ones:

    “Dear members of our community,

    We are deeply saddened to confirm a report published by the Hungarian police announcing the death of our beloved Kenzie.

    We wish to express our deep and sincere gratitude to the US and Hungarian authorities and the local police for their attention, diligence, care and prompt consideration.

    And we would especially like to acknowledge and thank the members of this core community at home and abroad for contributing to such a remarkable search effort. A big thank you to our Hungarian friends and locals for raising awareness on social media, distributing flyers, providing translation services and mobilizing a ground mission to find Kenzie.

    Kenzie will forever be remembered as a beautiful and compassionate young woman who dedicated herself to caring for others and making the world a better place. As a nurse, Kenzie used her humor, positivity and boundless empathy to heal her patients and encourage family and friends alike.

    We are thankful that Keznie’s soul is now at peace. Her memory and legacy will live on in the hearts of all those touched. To understand Kenzie’s spirit is to wholeheartedly embrace the immense joy and wonder of life. Her wish for the world: fully embrace the present moment, be your authentic self, practice kindness and always walk in the light.

    Thank you for all your support and continued prayers. During this difficult time, please respect the privacy of Kenzie’s family and friends, who all remain grateful for your love and concern.

    Forever in the light, Kenzie’s family and friends”

    On Thursday, I 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.”

    Western New York native traveling to Hungary found dead, man arrested for murder

    On Monday, the friends went their separate ways. Tower was on his way to Italy to visit some friends, and Michalski stayed one more night in Budapest.

    “He drove me down from the Airbnb, we said goodbye, we said I love you,” Tower said.

    The two exchanged text messages late Monday night.

    “She was at a bar in the Jewish Quarter, having a glass of wine,” Tower said. “He looked like he was having dinner.”

    ‘It’s a nightmare’: Search continues for missing Western New York native in Europe

    Tower said he responded to a text from Michalski around 12:45 a.m. Tuesday. That was the last time they communicated. Then Tower received messages from Airbnb that Michalski did not verify.

    “This is completely out of character for her, she would never do this, I don’t know what’s going on,” Tower said.

    Later Tuesday, Tower called the US Embassy to report Michalski missing.

    Friends searching for Fredonia native missing while on vacation in Hungary

    “She was kind, loving, bright, articulate, responsible,” Tower said.

    A GoFundMe has been set up to support his family which you can find online here.

    Online Niel
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