### Tragic End for American Tourist in Budapest: Suspect in Custody

Family and friends mourn the loss of 31-year-old Mackenzie Michalski, a tourist from Portland, Oregon, who was tragically killed during her vacation in Budapest. The suspect, a 37-year-old Irish man, is now in police custody.

Michalski was last seen on November 5 at a nightclub in central Budapest, leading to a missing person investigation when she did not return. Authorities reviewed security footage from several nightlife venues and identified the suspect with Michalski in multiple locations on the night of her disappearance.

Following days of investigation, the suspect was detained on November 7 and confessed to the killing. Michalski's family had been in the midst of an intensive search, turning to social media and traveling to Hungary to find her. Their hopes were dashed when they learned of her death while en route to Budapest.

At a candlelight vigil held in the Hungarian capital, Michalski's father, Bill Michalski, expressed his profound grief. "There was no reason for this to happen," he said, struggling to comprehend the tragic event.

The suspect, identified only by the initials L.T.M., accompanied Michalski to his rented apartment after meeting at a nightclub, where he killed her during what police described as an "intimate encounter." He confessed, claiming the death was accidental. Evidence showed he attempted to conceal the crime, cleaning the apartment and hiding Michalski's body in a wardrobe before purchasing a suitcase to transport her remains.

He disposed of the body near Szigliget, a wooded area around 90 miles southwest of Budapest. Police released footage of the suspect showing authorities the exact location.

Investigators discovered the suspect had made alarming internet searches related to body disposal, police procedures, and even inquiries about whether pigs would eat a human body.

In the wake of this horrifying incident, Bill Michalski shared memories of his daughter. Known as "Kenzie," she was a nurse practitioner remembered for her compassion and beauty. Her father wore a baseball cap she had gifted him, reflecting on how much his daughter enjoyed Budapest, which she affectionately called her "happy place."

The tragic loss of Mackenzie Michalski remains a somber reminder of the unforeseen dangers that can arise, even in a place that once brought joy.