Footage emerges of Irishman accused of American woman's murder walking hand-in-hand with her
Sarah Slater
CCTV footage has emerged of an American woman who was allegedly murdered by an Irish man walking hand-in-hand just hours prior to her death.
Mackenzie Michalski (31) who was on holiday in the Hungarian capital of Budapest, was last seen at a nightclub in the city on Tuesday, November 5th, and was listed as missing by Budapest Police Headquarters later that day.
It is understood that Ms Michalski, who is originally from western New York, had travelled from Portland, Oregon in the US, and was last seen near Szimpla Kert, known as the party district in the city, at around 10pm.
The nurse practitioner had been travelling throughout Europe with a female friend and Hungary was their last stop. The two separated for the last night of their trip.
The 37-year-old Irish man, who works in marketing, has allegedly admitted to killing Ms Michalski accidentally after becoming intimate at a rented apartment.
The arrested man allegedly informed police after his arrest that he attempted to conceal her body in a suitcase along with her handbag and credit card, which he transported her in the boot of his rental car to a marshy area in Szigliget in Western Hungary.
The Hungarian news website RTL Klub has obtained CCTV footage which details the last hours of the dead woman and the Irish man and shows the two walking together holding hands and entering a lift together.
The accused man’s lawyer said the American woman’s post-mortem results “will clarify the situation in favour of his client”.
The nurse’s mother, Jill Burek Michalski, revealed that the Hungarian Police have worked “tirelessly” for her daughter, arresting her alleged murderer and “still continue their diligent investigation”.
Mrs Michalski revealed that the family had met with the head of homicide several times to keep them informed.
She noted: “We were treated with kindness and compassion during our eight-day stay in Budapest.”
However, Mrs Michalski highlighted that “one important point needs to be clarified. Based on all available evidence reviewed during consultation with the Hungarian Police, our daughter’s death was in no way accidental, despite claims to the contrary. It was a deliberate and violent murder.
“After our encouraging interactions with the Hungarian Police and other authorities, we remain hopeful that Kenzie’s killer will be held responsible for his crimes to the fullest extent of the law.”
The dead woman’s funeral arrangements are yet to be announced.
Friends of the missing woman have set-up a gofundme.com fundraising campaign titled Bring Mackenzie Michalski Home, which has to date raised more than €43,000.
