The body of an American woman who was murdered after a night out in Budapest was dismembered and stuffed into two suitcases, police revealed today.
Mackenzie Michalski may have been murdered in a sex game gone wrong, detectives in Hungary investigating her murder have confirmed.
They are also investigating whether drug use contributed to his death.
Miss Michalski, a 31-year-old nurse from Portland, Oregon, was reported missing in Hungary on November 5.
Less than 24 hours later, an Irishman, referred to only by his initials LTM under Hungarian law, was arrested.
He confessed to the murder during interrogation, but insisted it was an accident while the couple was having sex.
Mackenzie Michalski, pictured with her ex-boyfriend, was murdered after a night out in Budapest
Case recovered after suspect allegedly put Ms Michalski’s body in new suitcase
The 37-year-old Irishman suspected of killing Ms Michalski (pictured) led police to the area where her body was dumped following his arrest over her disappearance on November 7.
Handcuffed and tied to a leash, the man, 37, dragged police through a dense, isolated forest surrounding a lake on the outskirts of Szigliget, a two-hour drive from the capital.
Detectives investigating the murder are investigating several lines of inquiry to determine how Miss Michalski was murdered and are trying to establish whether the death may have been an accident, as the suspect claims.
Police spokesman Ferenc Rab told MailOnline the force is investigating whether the victim’s death was caused by “a sex game gone wrong” or whether “poor quality drugs” had potentially been consumed.
Disturbing new details also reveal that the victim’s body had been cut up and hidden in two suitcases before the suspect took it to the secluded rural lake.
Coroners are still trying to determine the cause of the woman’s death.
Meanwhile, LTM remains detained due to the risk of him escaping or hiding. Police also believe there is a danger of a repeat crime, according to local reports.
It comes just days after Miss Michalski’s ex-boyfriend claimed the suspect had “beaten, raped and brutally” murdered her.
Kenton Reichen, who had been with the healthcare worker for six years, was supposed to have traveled to Budapest with his girlfriend, but decided not to when they decided to split up.
He has since spoken of his anguish, wishing he had “saved her from this” and “protected her.”
Mrs Michalski was “in the middle of a break-up” with her partner (not pictured) when she traveled to Hungary
Reichen was traveling from the United States with the victim’s parents when they were informed that she had been killed.
‘Before the trip, Kenzie and I were in the middle of a breakup. At first she wanted me to go with her to Budapest, but I decided not to go with her, so a friend of hers accompanied her,” she told a local newspaper.
‘She was perfect, but I neglected her in many ways. It hurts me a lot and I wish I had protected her. …
‘Kenzie did not deserve to be beaten, raped and murdered so brutally. I wish I could have saved her from this. “This will forever be the biggest mistake of my life.”
The last message the nurse sent to family and friends was a photo of her enjoying drinks in the Jewish quarter of Budapest. After that, no one heard from her again.
CCTV footage showed Miss Michalski and the suspect dancing in a nightclub before leaving together. They then returned to the suspect’s rented apartment where she was allegedly murdered during an intimate moment.
His loved ones contacted the Airbnb where he was staying and where the owners found his belongings. He then missed his flight from Hungary to Amsterdam, which was on his route home.
After her death, the suspect searched the Internet for how to dispose of a dead body, what a dead body smells like, and whether pigs eat dead bodies. He also investigated whether there were wild boars in the area where he later dumped her body.
The suspect then cleaned her apartment before allegedly stuffing the victim’s body into a newly purchased suitcase and carrying it along with a purse, clothing and a credit card with Ms. Michalski’s name on it.
Then he rented a car and drove to the lake in western Hungary.
Chilling footage later released by police revealed the moment LTM was arrested and taken into custody.
A section of the video shows the suspect being escorted out of a police car and leading officers through hedges to the lake.
Mackenzie’s body was found near Lake Balaton in western Hungary after she went missing on November 5.
Police dogs watch as specialists in protective suits place markers on the ground in the direction of the killer.
Evidence bags labeled “one” and “two” are collected, along with grass and leaf samples, before the handcuffed Irishman is returned to the police car.
On Saturday night, during a candlelight vigil in Budapest, Bill Micahalski, his father, told The Associated Press that he was “still overwhelmed with emotion.”
‘There was no reason for this to happen. “I’m still trying to understand what happened,” he added. “I don’t know if I ever will.”
As she struggled to come to terms with her daughter’s death, she revealed that Hungary was her “happy place.”
“She loved the story and was very relaxed here,” he said. “This was his city.”
A statement on behalf of the family was posted on a Facebook group set up to find the nurse and added: “Dear members of our community, we are deeply saddened to confirm a report published by the Hungarian police announcing the death of our beloved Kenzie.” .
Additionally, he appreciated the efforts of everyone, including strangers abroad and officials around the world, for getting involved to help find Ms. Michalski.
He continued: ‘Kenzie will always 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 boundless empathy to help heal her patients and encourage family and friends alike.”