A memorial service for an American woman who was allegedly murdered by an Irish man in Hungary over the weekend heard how she lived her life with "a spark of energy".
Mackenzie Michalski (31), from Fredonia, New York was on holiday in the Hungarian capital of Budapest was last seen at a nightclub in the city in the early hours of Tuesday, November 5th and listed as missing by Budapest Police Headquarters later that day.
A 37-year-old Irishman, who works in marketing, has allegedly admitted to killing Ms Michalski, a nurse practitioner from Fredonia, New York, accidentally after claiming they had become intimate at a rented apartment while on holiday.
He claims her death was accidental.
A Memorial Service and Celebration of Life was held at Asbury Hall, Buffalo, New York on Saturday at midday.
Mourners heard that the nurse practitioner was the firstborn child of William and Jill Burek Michalski.
Mackenzie is also survived by her brother Nicholas, grandmothers’ Joyce Michalski and Joanne Burek; aunts, uncles and cousins along with her miniature dachshund Juniper; and countless dear friends and colleagues.
Her family members and friends spoke of how since early childhood, "Kenzie loved amusement parks, Halloween, and haunted houses.
"Kenzie touched so many lives with her indescribably magical personality, unique sense of humor, tireless energy, amazing sense of style, strong work ethic, and dedication to helping others."
Her mother Jill told how her daughter led "a life dedicated to community service".
Mrs Burek Michalski continued: "In addition to diligent work at hospitals in Buffalo and Portland were her volunteer trips abroad with Hope For Tomorrow Foundation to Haiti and Ghana. Here she worked with like-minded medical professionals donating time and expertise to provide medical treatment to patients who were otherwise unable to receive help in these impoverished places."
She told how Mackenzie was an experienced world traveler, her favorite destinations included Budapest, Thailand, and Vietnam. She also toured through Europe and visited Egypt, Iceland and India.
At the time of her death Kenzie was a Neurosurgery Nurse Practitioner at Providence St. Vincent Medical Center in Portland, Oregon.
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.
Last month the Metropolitan Court of Budapest extended his arrest until March 10th, next year, amid ongoing investigations and disputed claims according to Hungarian media outlets. The court ruled to keep him in custody while investigations continue.
Detectives have also said they found numerous alleged incriminating online searches on a computer.
Police 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.
György Magyar, the lawyer of the man suspected of murder, told 24.hu news in Hungary, that what happened on the night in question was an “accident” during consensual intimacy.
Ms Michalski, had travelled from Portland, Oregon in the US where she was working, and was last seen near Szimpla Kert, known as the party district in the city at around 10pm.
The young woman 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.
Ms Michalski’s body was brought back to the US by her family in late November last year. The Fredonia native’s family issued a new statement on social media saying that they believe the man suspected of killing her did it deliberately.
The Michalski family said the "death was in no way accidental despite claims to the contrary".
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".
Mrs Burek 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".
