The distraught former boyfriend of an American nurse who was discovered lifeless in a suitcase close to a lake in Hungary has claimed she was ‘overwhelmed, raped and brutually’ murdered.
Mackenzie Michalski, a 31-year-old from Portland, Oregon, had been on vacation in Budapest when she all of a sudden disappeared after an evening out.
Two days after she was reported lacking on November 5, Hungarian Police arrested a 37-year-old Irishman who admitted to the killing and confirmed them the place he had hidden the nurse’s physique in Lake Balaton.
Whereas the person, who is barely being referred to by his initials LTM – as per Hungarian regulation – confessed to the killing he insisted the girl’s demise was an accident.
Now her boyfriend of six years, Kenton Reichen, has spoken of his heartbreak, wishing he ‘might have saved her from this’.
Kenton Reichen stated following a vigil for Ms Michalski within the Hungarian capital that he wished he might have ‘protected’ his companion of six years
The 37-year-old Irishman suspected of killing Michalski (pictured) led police to the realm the place her physique was dumped following his arrest over her disappearance on November 7
Buddies maintain candles whereas remembering Michalski throughout a candlelight vigil in Budapest, Hungary, Saturday, November 9
The couple had deliberate to journey to the European nation collectively on the finish of October however ‘have been in the course of a break up’ so Mr Reichen determined to not take the journey.
As an alternative, Ms Michalski travelled to the nation with a good friend as a substitute, leaving Mr Reichen behind in Portland.
Mr Reichen, who had travelled to the nation with the nurse’s dad and mom to search for her, stated following a vigil for Ms Michalski within the Hungarian capital that he wished he might have ‘protected her’.
He stated: ‘Earlier than the journey, Kenzie and I have been in the course of a breakup. She initially needed me to go to Budapest together with her, however I made a decision to not go together with her, so a good friend of hers accompanied her as a substitute.
‘She was excellent, however I uncared for her in some ways,’ he added. ‘It hurts me quite a bit, and I want I might have protected her.’
Whereas the suspect has claimed Ms Michalski’s demise was a horrific accident, her ex-boyfriend strongly rejects this.
He added: ‘Kenzie didn’t should be overwhelmed, raped and killed so brutally. I want I might have saved her from this. This may eternally be the most important mistake of my life.’
CCTV footage had proven Ms Michalski and the suspect dancing in a nightclub earlier than leaving collectively. They then went again to the suspect’s rented condominium the place she was allegedly killed throughout an intimate second.
Police haven’t but confirmed how Ms Michalski died however revealed the suspect had searched on-line easy methods to eliminate a physique, what a lifeless physique smells like and whether or not pigs eat lifeless our bodies. He additionally researched whether or not there have been wild boars within the space he later dumped her physique.
Buddy and fellow traveler, Gretchen Tower, stated the group had been touring collectively and when she misplaced contact with Michalski. Tower was the one who reported her lacking
Ms Michalski (left) was ‘in the course of a breakup’ together with her companion (not pictured) when she travelled to Hungary.’I am sorry for letting you down,’ he stated in a submit on social media
Photographs of Michalski at a candlelight vigil in Budapest on Saturday, when her father made a heartbreaking assertion about her demise
The suspect then cleaned his condominium earlier than allegedly stuffing the sufferer’s physique right into a freshly purchased suitcase and rolling it away together with a purse, garments and a bank card with Ms Michalski’s identify on it.
He then rented a automotive and drove to the lake in Western Hungary.
The Irish international ministry stated it ‘is conscious of this case and is offering consular help’. ‘As with all circumstances, the division doesn’t touch upon the precise particulars of particular person circumstances,’ it added.
Ms Michalski was final seen at a membership within the Jewish Quarter of Budapest after her buddies had obtained footage from her within the bar.
After that, household and buddies weren’t capable of get involved together with her and her belongings have been discovered within the Airbnb she was staying in.
She then missed her flight from Hungary to Amsterdam which was on her route again residence.
After studying Ms Michalski had gone lacking, her household flew over from the US to assist with the seek for her. Whereas travelling throughout the Atlantic they have been knowledgeable their daughter’s physique had been discovered.
On Saturday evening at a candlelit vigil in Budapest, Invoice Micahalski, Mackenzie’s father, instructed The Related Press he was ‘nonetheless overcome with emotion’.
‘There was no cause for this to occur. I am nonetheless making an attempt to wrap my arms round what occurred, he added. ‘I don´t know that I ever will.’
Whereas struggling to return to phrases together with his daughter’s demise, he revealed that Hungary was her ‘completely happy place.’
‘The historical past, she simply cherished it and she or he was simply so relaxed right here,’ he stated. ‘This was her metropolis.’
Her former companion, Mr Reichen added in one other tribute on social media: ‘I fell in love with you whereas watching the sundown in Ibiza. You broke your ankle and I carried you. You have been all I wanted in life. I am sorry for letting you down.’
Mackenzie Michalski (pictured) had gone to Hungary as a vacationer and was final seen at a nightclub earlier than her physique was ultimately discovered
Mackenzie’s physique was discovered close to Lake Balaton in western Hungary after she went lacking on November 5
A press release on behalf of the household was launched on a Fb group set as much as discover the nurse learn: ‘Expensive members of our group, we’re deeply saddened to substantiate a report revealed by Hungarian police asserting the demise of our beloved Kenzie.’
The assertion additional thanked the efforts of everybody together with strangers overseas and officers internationally for getting concerned in serving to discover Michalski.
It continued: ‘Kenzie will eternally be remembered as a good looking and compassionate younger lady who devoted herself to caring for others and making the world a greater place.
‘As a nurse practitioner, Kenzie used her humor, positivity, and limitless empathy to assist heal her sufferers and encourage household and buddies alike.’