Loved ones of the Portland nurse who was murdered in Budapest and stuffed into a suitcase have shared heartbreaking remarks about their loss.
Mackenzie Michalski, 31, was reported missing on November 5 after she failed to return from a night out during her vacation.
An Irishman seen with her at night clubs before her disappearance, only identified by the initials L.T.M., 37, was interviewed by police two days later and admitted to killing her.
He revealed where he hid her body – inside a suitcase near Lake Balaton in western Hungary.
Bill Micahalski, Mackenzie’s father, told The Associated Press he was ‘still overcome with emotion’ at a Saturday candlelit vigil in Budapest.
Mackenzie Michalski (pictured) had gone to Hungary as a tourist and was last seen at a nightclub before her body was eventually found
Friends remembered Mackenzie during a candlelight vigil in Budapest, Hungary
He added: ‘There was no reason for this to happen. I´m still trying to wrap my arms around what happened … I don´t know that I ever will.’
While struggling to come to terms with his daughter’s death, he revealed that Hungary was her ‘happy place.’
‘The history, she just loved it and she was just so relaxed here,’ he said. ‘This was her city.’
Vigils were held in both Budapest and New York. People sorrowfully gathered to honor Mackenzie.
Before Mackenzie’s death was confirmed a Facebook group was launched to help find her.
The 37-year-old Irishman suspected of killing Michalski (pictured) led police to the area where her body was dumped following his arrest over her disappearance on November 7
Once her body was discovered, her family released a statement on the group: ‘Dear members of our community, we are deeply saddened to confirm a report published by Hungarian police announcing the death of our beloved Kenzie.’
The statement further thanked the efforts of everyone including strangers abroad and officials across the world for getting involved in helping find Mackenzie.
‘Kenzie will forever be remembered as a beautiful and compassionate young woman who dedicated herself to caring for others and making the world a better place.
‘As a nurse practitioner, Kenzie used her humor, positivity, and limitless empathy to help heal her patients and encourage family and friends alike.’
Mackenzie had last been seen at a club in the Jewish Quarter of Budapest, according to her GoFundMe page, after her friends had received pictures from her in the bar.
Photos of Michalski at a candlelight vigil in Budapest on Saturday, when her father made a heartbreaking statement about her death
Since then, family or friends hadn’t been able to reach her, and her belongings were found in the Airbnb she was staying in.
Mackenzie also then missed her flight from Hungary to Amsterdam which was on her route back home.
The group of friends had been traveling for a birthday trip, according to fellow traveler and friend, Gretchen Tower, reported WKBW.
Tower was also one of the last people to see Mackenzie on their Europe tour trip, and Hungary was their last stop.
‘We had a great three days in Hungary. Exploring, eating, walking the city,’ she told the outlet.
The two said their goodbyes on Monday, Tower recalled: ‘She walked me downstairs out of the Airbnb, we hugged goodbye, we said our I love yous, I went to the airport.’
Michalski (pictured) was a nurse from Portland , Oregon on vacation with her friends for someone’s birthday
Tower was on her way to Italy to visit some other friends and Mackenzie stayed behind for one more night in Budapest.
‘She was at a bar in the Jewish ruin district having a glass of wine, looked like she was having dinner,’ said Tower.
The two exchanged text messages before Mackenzie’s disappearance. Tower said she had responded to a message at around 12.45 Tuesday morning, but Mackenzie never responded.
It wasn’t until Tower got a notification from the Airbnb alerting her that Mackenzie had never checked out that Tower became concerned.
The suspect is alleged to have made several internet searches, including on whether pigs eat dead bodies, the presence of wild boars around Lake Balaton and the reliability of Budapest police.
The late nurse’s friend said she knew something was wrong when Michalski never checked out of their Airbnb
Police had identified the man after reviewing security footage from several nightclubs in central Budapest’s nightlife district, which officers said showed the pair dancing together before leaving.
A Budapest district court said it had decided at its weekend session to order his detention for one month.
Police said the man confessed to the killing, insisting it was accidental.
Police believe the suspect, who arrived in Budapest in October, met the victim at a nightclub, took her to a rented apartment and killed her while they were being intimate with each other.
‘At present, it is not possible to establish exactly how the victim was killed and this is the subject of the ongoing investigation,’ the court said.
Friend and fellow traveler, Gretchen Tower, said the group had been traveling together and when she lost contact with Michalski. Tower was the one who reported her missing
After allegedly killing Mackenzie, the man then cleaned the apartment, before stuffing her in the suitcase and driving it to the lake, police said.
‘We are thankful that Kenzie’s soul is now at peace. Her memory and legacy will endure in the hearts of all whom she’s touched,’ a representative of the family wrote.
‘To understand Kenzie’s spirit is to wholeheartedly embrace the vast joy and wonder of life. Her wish for the world: fully embrace the present moment, be your authentic self, practice kindness, and always walk in the light.’
