27-04-2025
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.'
