Friday, November 15, 2024

Irish man arrested over death of US tourist in Hungary

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A 37-year old Irish man has been arrested after the death of a 31-year-old American woman in Hungary’s capital, police said.

Mackenzie Michalski from Portland, Oregon, was reported missing on 5 November after she was last seen at a nightclub in central Budapest.

Police launched an investigation and reviewed security footage from local nightclubs where they observed holidaymaker Ms Michalski with a man on the night of her disappearance.

Police detained an Irish citizen on the evening of 7 November.

It is understood that Ms Michalski’s body was found yesterday.

The Department of Foreign Affairs said it is aware of the case and that it is providing consular assistance.

It added that “with all cases, the Department does not comment on the specific details of individual cases.”

According to a post on a Facebook group called “Find Mackenzie Michalski”, which was created on 7 November, Ms Michalski, who was known as Kenzie, was a nurse practitioner who “will forever be remembered as a beautiful and compassionate young woman”.

Ms Michalski’s parents are currently in Budapest, police added.

At a candlelight vigil in Budapest, the victim’s father, Bill Michalski, told The Associated Press that he was “still overcome with emotion” at the death of his daughter.

“There was no reason for this to happen,” he said. “I’m still trying to wrap my arms around what happened … I don’t know that I ever will.”

Ms Michalski had visited Budapest before, and her father called it her “happy place”.

“The history, she just loved it and she was just so relaxed here,” he added. “This was her city.”

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