BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — A Budapest court ordered the alleged murderer of Fredonia native Mackenzie Michalski to remain behind bars Monday night, and for the foreseeable future, after the suspect was detained and confessed to the crime.
Michalski, who was living in Portland, Oregon, was reported missing on Nov. 5 after she was last seen at a nightclub in central Budapest, where she was visiting as a tourist.
Investigators said Michalski and the suspect, a 37-year-old man of Ireland, met at a nightclub and danced before leaving for the man’s apartment.
It was there that the man, whom police identified by the initials L.T.M., killed Michalski while the two were intimate. He was detained on Nov. 7 and confessed to the killing, telling police it was an accident.
Police said L.T.M attempted to cover up the crime by cleaning the apartment and hiding Michalski’s body in a wardrobe before purchasing a suitcase and placing her body inside.
He then rented a car and drove to Lake Balaton, 90 miles southwest of Budapest, disposing of her body in a wooden area.
Video released by police shows the suspect guiding authorities to the location of the body.
Police also released the suspect’s recent search history. L.T.M looked up the following:
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“Do pigs really eat dead bodies?”
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“Texas woman killed by a wild boar.”
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“Wild boar sighting in Lake Balaton coastal towns.”
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“What does a corpse smell like after it decomposes?”
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“Getting rid of the smell of rotting meat.”
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“Budapest webcams.”
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“What happens after a person is reported missing?”
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“How do the police handle missing person cases?”
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“How reliable is the police in Budapest?”
New York State leaders have vowed for justice.
“I’ll do everything I can to help the family and see that the perpetrator is brought to justice,” said Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer.
While friends of the Michalski family still mourn, their message is to keep living.
“I want you to feel alive still and not take that for granted. Take what McKenzie has lost right now and live your life,” said family friend Melissa Pietrkiewicz.
The man is currently in Budapest police custody and authorities are initiating formal charges against him for murder.
Over $40,000 has been raised through a GoFundMe for Michalski’s family to bring her home.
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Dillon Morello is a reporter from Pittsburgh who has been part of the News 4 team since September of 2023. See more of his work here and follow him on Twitter.
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