Latest news with #MackenzieMichalski
BreakingNews.ie
10-05-2025
- BreakingNews.ie
Mother of woman allegedly murdered by Irish man in Hungary marks six months since her death
The mother of an American woman who was allegedly murdered by an Irish man in Hungary has paid tribute to her on the six-month anniversary of her death, admitting that her family misses her 'unbearably'. Mackenzie Michalski (31), from Fredonia, New York, was on holiday in the Hungarian capital of Budapest and was last seen at a nightclub in the city in the early hours of Tuesday, November 5th, 2024, and was listed as missing by Budapest Police Headquarters later that day. Advertisement A 37-year-old Irish man, who works in marketing, has allegedly admitted to killing Ms Michalski, a nurse practitioner from Fredonia, New York, accidentally after claiming they became intimate at a rented apartment while on holiday. He claims her death was accidental. The arrested man, allegedly, informed police after his arrest that he attempted to conceal her body in a suitcase along with her handbag and credit card, which he transported her in the boot of his rental car to a marshy area in Szigliget in western Hungary. The Metropolitan Court of Budapest extended his arrest until March 10th this year and have since had his detention increased by several more months while investigations continue. Detectives have also said they found numerous alleged incriminating online searches on a computer and allege that the detained Irish suspect cleaned his apartment. Advertisement In a social media post, Ms Michalski's mother, Jill, said the family is 'grateful' for all the 'fantastic memories we've shared (and) no one can take those away'. Ms Burek Michalski added: 'Half a year, six months, 26 weeks (and) 181 days without you. Oh Kenzie, we miss you unbearably, we celebrate your short, amazing life that affected so many, we love all the signs that let us sense you're close. 'We know you are thrilled with all the ways you're being honored and remembered (and) we love you to infinity and beyond.' A memorial service for the nurse was held last January on what would have been her 32nd birthday. Advertisement György Magyar, the lawyer of the man suspected of murder, previously told news in Hungary that what happened on the night in question was an 'accident' during consensual intimacy. Ms Michalski, had travelled from Portland, Oregon in the US, and was last seen near Szimpla Kert, known as the party district in the city at around 10pm. The young woman had been travelling throughout Europe with a female friend, and Hungary was their last stop. The two separated for the last night of their trip. Ms Michalski's body was brought back to the US by her family in late November last year. The Fredonia native's family issued a new statement on social media saying that they believe the man suspected of killing her did it deliberately. The Michalski family said the 'death was in no way accidental, despite claims to the contrary.' The Michalskis have pointed out that they have been 'completely supported and cared for by the US Embassy, the FBI, Antea International Funeral Home, many translators, as well as countless people who reached out to offer services and love'.
Sunday World
27-04-2025
- Sunday World
Irish man suspected of killing American nurse in Budapest remains in detention
Body of Mackenzie Michalski (31) was found in a suitcase two hours from Hungarian capital last November Mackenzie Michalski and inset, the Irish suspect leading police to her body An Irish man in custody in Budapest in Hungary over the murder of a US tourist will remain in pre-trial detention until at least next month as police continue to probe the violent killing. Mackenzie Michalski, a 31-year-old American nurse, went missing on November 4 from a nightclub in central Budapest. Her body was later discovered in a suitcase in a wooded area 140km outside the capital. A 37-year-old Irish man was arrested in connection with her murder after the discovery of her remains. The man, who works in marketing and has not been named, has appealed his ongoing detention. The body of Mackenzie Michalski was found near Budapest last November His lawyer, Dr Gyorgy Magyar, said: 'My law firm is defending an Irish citizen who is suspected of the crime of murder committed against a US citizen. 'In relation to the case, I can inform you that the investigation conducted by the police is still ongoing, which is to obtain further expert opinions and evaluate the available evidence. 'The court has extended the detention of our client for two months, against which our office has filed an appeal. The next court decision regarding the extension of the detention is expected in early May.' Mackenzie Michalski The man's ongoing incarceration is the second extension Budapest's Metropolitan Prosecution Office has secured in relation to the Irish suspect. He was arrested on suspicion of the murder of Ms Michalski on November 7 after police reviewed CCTV footage from the surrounding area where the young woman was last seen. Ms Michalski, who worked as a nurse in Portland, Oregon, last made contact with friends on the night of Monday November 4 from a nightclub in central Budapest. She was reported missing the next day by her friends after she did not check out of her Airbnb accommodation in the Hungarian capital. Mackenzie Michalski with her parents Jill and Bill According to a statement released by Budapest police, Ms Michalski and the male suspect met at a nightclub in central Budapest on the night of her disappearance before going to another nightclub and later to the man's rented apartment in the city. The same police statement noted that the Irish man maintained that Ms Michalski's death was accidental. According to the police, following Ms Michalski's death, the suspect cleaned his apartment and drove to Lake Balaton, two hours west of Budapest, with Ms Michalski's body placed in the suitcase, before hiding her body in a wooded area. After his arrest, the suspect travelled with police to Lake Balaton to reveal the location of Ms Michalski's body. Mr Magyar previously told a Hungarian media outlet that Ms Michalski's death was 'an accidental act without intention'. Mackenzie Michalski on her graduation day Under Hungarian law, a suspect is formally charged after the conclusion of an investigation. In cases of suspected murder or manslaughter, an investigation period can take a number of months, and, in some cases, more than a year to conclude. In an interview with this newspaper earlier this year, Ms Michalski's father said he did not believe his daughter's death was accidental. 'The main thing for us now is to be patient and allow the police to continue to carry out their investigation,' Bill Michalski said. 'Everyone wants to know the details. We have faith in the police investigation, and they are keeping us updated.' Ms Michalski's mother, Jill, added: 'Our daughter was kind, compassionate, independent and adventurous. And she loved to laugh. People ask us how we are doing… all we can say is we are doing as well as we can be.'
