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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

    Umito Posted on

    BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — Budapest police have released new details after a Western New York native was reported missing while traveling in Hungary.

    Family and friends of Mackenzie Michalski, 31, reported her missing to the U.S. Embassy on Tuesday.

    Budapest police opened an investigation and obtained surveillance video of Michalski dancing with a man at several nightclubs before heading to his rental apartment.

    A 37-year-old Irish man with the initials LTM was arrested at the apartment on Wednesday. Police say 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 to buy a suitcase, then put her body in the suitcase and left it in the woods of Lake Balaton, outside Szigliget.

    The investigation also revealed that LTM had conducted online searches for the following:

    • “Do pigs really eat corpses?”
    • “Texan woman killed by wild boar.”
    • “Wild boar sightings in the coastal towns of Lake Balaton.”
    • “What does a dead body smell like after it has decomposed?”
    • “Get rid of the smell of rotten meat.”
    • “Budapest Webcams.”
    • “What happens after a person goes missing?”
    • “How do the police handle cases of disappearances?
    • “How reliable are the Budapest police?”

    LTM was taken into custody. A State Department spokesperson confirmed to 7 News that they are aware of reports that Hungarian police have arrested a suspect in connection with the disappearance and that the U.S. Embassy is in contact with Hungarian police .
    A vigil will be held for Michalski on Saturday at Barker Commons in Fredonia. Organizers encourage people to bring candles.

    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 released by the Hungarian police announcing the death of our beloved Kenzie.

    We would like to express our deep and sincere gratitude to the American and Hungarian authorities as well as the local police for their attention, diligence, attention and consideration.

    And we would especially like to recognize and thank the members of this grassroots community, at home and abroad, for contributing to such a remarkable research effort. We are deeply grateful to our Hungarian friends and locals for raising awareness on social media, distributing flyers, offering translation services and mobilizing a mission on the ground 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 practitioner, Kenzie used her boundless humor, positivity, and empathy to help heal her patients and encourage her family and friends.

    We are grateful that Keznie’s soul is now at peace. Her memory and legacy will live on in the hearts of all those she touched. To understand Kenzie’s mind is to wholeheartedly embrace the vast joy and wonder of life. Her wish for the world: to 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, we ask that you respect the privacy of Kenzie’s family and friends, all of whom remain grateful for your love and concern.

    Forever in the light, family and friends of Kenzie”

    On Thursday, 7 News 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. “Explore, eat, walk around town.”

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

    On Monday, the friends separated. Tower was on his way to Italy to visit friends and Michalski stayed one more night in Budapest before catching a scheduled flight the next day.

    “She took me off Airbnb, we said goodbye, we said our I love yous,” Tower said.

    The two men exchanged text messages Monday evening.

    “She was at a bar in the Jewish quarter of the ruins having a glass of wine,” Tower said. “It looked like she was having dinner.”

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

    Tower said she responded to a message from Michalski around 12:45 a.m. Tuesday. It was the last time they communicated. Tower then received messages from Airbnb stating that Michalski had not checked out.

    “It’s completely unusual of her, she would never do that, I don’t know what’s going on,” Tower said.

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

    Friends search for Fredonia native who went missing while vacationing in Hungary

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

    A GoFundMe has been created to support his family which you can find here.

    Umito
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