Western New York woman killed in Budapest

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — A Western New York native from Fredonia who went missing in Budapest was killed earlier this week, Hungarian police said.

Mackenzie Michalski, 31, who had gone to Hungary as a tourist, was last seen at a nightclub on Tuesday. She worked as a nurse practitioner and lived in Portland, Ore.

Investigators have arrested a 37-year-old man from Ireland that Michalski was seen with at several clubs that night. Police said the man confessed to the killing and showed police where he hid her body.

Her family confirmed her death in a statement on Friday.

“We would like to express our profound and heartfelt gratitude to the U.S. and Hungarian authorities and local police for their prompt attention, diligence, care, and consideration,” they said. “And we would especially like to acknowledge and thank members of this grassroots community at home and abroad for contributing to such a remarkable search effort. We are deeply appreciative of our Hungarian friends and locals for raising awareness on social media, distributing flyers, offering translation services, and mobilizing a boots-on-the-ground mission to find Kenzie.”

A candlelight vigil will take place in Barker Commons in Fredonia at 6 p.m. Saturday. Friends and loved ones of Mackenzie are encouraged to attend.

This is a developing story, check back for updates.

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Aidan Joly joined the News 4 staff in 2022. He is a graduate of Canisius College. You can see more of his work here.

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