'Our hearts are broken' - Body of woman allegedly killed by Irish man in Hungary arrives back in USA

The body of an American woman who was allegedly murdered by an Irish man in Hungary earlier this month has arrived back in the US.

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 5 and 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.

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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 while on holiday. He claims her death was an accident.

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 Detectives have also said they found numerous alleged incriminating online searches on a computer.

Police also allege that the detained Irish suspect cleaned his apartment. The man has been remanded in custody for four weeks due to being considered a flight risk.

The family of the Fredonia native have issued a new statement on social media announcing they are now back in the US and that they believe the man suspected of killing her did it deliberately.

The family said: “We are relieved to be back in the United States and have Kenzie home with us – although not in the manner we had hoped.”

They thanked the public from the “bottom” of their “broken hearts for the worldwide outpouring of love, support, prayers, kind words and gestures you have all bestowed on our family at this unimaginable time. You have lifted us up—please continue.”

The Michalskis pointed out that they have been “completely supported and cared for by the US Embassy, the FBI, Antea International Funeral Home, many translators as well as countless people who reached out to offer services and love”.

The nurse’s mother Jill Burek Michalski revealed that the Hungarian Police have worked “tirelessly” for her daughter. arrest her 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.

“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.”

György Magyar, the lawyer of the man suspected of murder, told Hungarian news website 24.hu with the consent of his client that what happened on the night in question was an "accident".

The dead woman’s funeral arrangements are yet to be announced.

Friends of Mackenzie Michalski have set-up a gofundme.com fundraising campaign titled Bring Mackenzie Michalski Home which has to date raised more than €43,000.

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