Boyfriend of American nurse allegedly killed by Irishman in Hungary says he "failed" her

The boyfriend of an American nurse allegedly killed by an Irish man has revealed he feels that he “failed” her and wishes he could have “protected her”.

Mackenzie Michalski, 31, who was on holiday in the Hungarian capital of Budapest, was last seen at a nightclub in the city on Tuesday last 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.

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A 37-year-old Irish man 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 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 what a Hungarian court was told by prosecutors is a flight risk. The court order is subject to an appeal.

Kenton Reichen, from Portland, Oregon, said on social media that he would “make it up” to his girlfriend “someday”. The pair had been in a relationship for six years, but were on a break from each other. Mr Reichen is currently in Budapest with Ms Michalski’s parents.

He added: I’ll miss you. (I) fell in love with you watching the sunset in Ibiza carrying you with your broken ankle. You were everything I needed in life. I’m sorry I failed you.”

The couple had planned to travel to the European country together at the end of October but “were in the middle of a break” so Mr Reichen decided not to take the trip. The US native continued: "She (Kenzie) was perfect, but I neglected her in many ways. It hurts me a lot, and I wish I could have protected her.”

Instead, Ms Michalski travelled to the country with a female friend who alerted the US Embassy when she failed to check-out of her Airbnb. Ms Michalski ’s friend said she received texts from her and that she was at a bar in the Jewish-run district having a drink and dinner.

She detailed how she responded to a message from Ms Michalski at around 12.45am on Tuesday. That was the last time they communicated. The 6th District Police Department, along with the Fugitive Search Division, obtained footage from all available CCTV cameras in the neighbourhood, and noticed a man with whom the missing girl was seen together in several nightclubs.

The Irish man’s lawyer József Pásztor, according to local Hungarian media, informed the court that the woman’s death was an accident and has denied any guilt. According to Mr Pásztor, his client has no prior criminal record in Ireland or the UK, and maintains that the incident was a tragic mishap.

A post-mortem and forensic examination are still pending, and authorities have yet to confirm the cause of Ms Michalski’s death.

Two vigils were held in western New York and Budapest last weekend in her memory. In a statement, her family thanked the efforts of everyone, including strangers abroad and officials across the world, for getting involved in helping to find Ms Michalski.

The statement continued: “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 humour, positivity, and limitless empathy to help heal her patients and encourage family and friends alike”.

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