Irish Man Arrested After US Woman Found Dead in Suitcase in Hungary

An Irish man is under investigation after the body of a 31-year-old American woman was found in a suitcase in a wooded area in Hungary.

The woman, identified as Mackenzie Michalski, had been reported missing by friends on Tuesday after traveling to Budapest for a holiday.

Michalski, a nurse practitioner from Portland, Oregon, had been seen on CCTV with the suspect at several nightclubs in Budapest.

Police say the pair danced together before leaving the venues and heading to his rented accommodation.

Investigators claim the two became intimate, and it was during this interaction that the man allegedly killed her.

Authorities say the suspect, a man in his 30s, then attempted to cover up the crime. After cleaning his apartment, he reportedly hid the victim’s body in a wardrobe before going out to purchase a suitcase.

He then rented a car and drove 145 kilometres southwest of Budapest to Lake Balaton, where he disposed of her body in a wooded area.

The suspect has since confessed to killing Michalski, although he claims it was accidental. After questioning, he reportedly led detectives to the location where the body was hidden.

During the investigation, police found that he had made several internet searches, including one about how to remove the smell of rotting meat and another about the reliability of the Budapest police.

Michalski’s parents have traveled to Budapest, devastated by the loss of their daughter. In a statement, her family and friends described her as “a beautiful and compassionate young woman who dedicated herself to caring for others and making the world a better place.” They added, “Her memory and legacy will endure in the hearts of all whom she’s touched.”

The Irish Department of Foreign Affairs is aware of the case and is providing assistance to the family.