‘Kenzie’s soul is now at peace’: Western NY native murdered in Budapest, police say

A Western New York native reported missing while on a trip abroad in Europe was murdered, police said.
Mackenzie “Kenzie” Michalski was killed after she disappeared this week from a famous nightclub in Budapest, Hungary, Budapest Police Headquarters announced today in a news release. Michalski, originally from Fredonia, was 31 years old.
A 37-year-old man from Ireland has been taken into custody for Michalski’s murder, police said.
The man — whose name was not immediately released — was spotted with Michalski at nightclubs before she disappeared, police said. He showed investigators where he had hidden Michalski’s body, police said.
“We are deeply saddened to confirm a report published by Hungarian police announcing the death of our beloved Kenzie,” wrote loved ones on Find Mackenzie Michalski, the Facebook page created to help find Michalski.
Michalski, a nurse practitioner who WGRZ said previously worked at Buffalo General Medical Center, moved from Western New York to Portland, Oregon.
Michalski was last seen Tuesday at Szimpla Kert, a popular “ruin bar” in the Hungarian Capital, Daily News Hungary reported. She was reported missing after she failed to check out of her Budapest Airbnb and missed her flight out of Hungary, WGRZ reported.
U.S. Rep. Tim Kennedy, who represents the Buffalo area in Congress, wrote a letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken asking for help finding Michalski.
Three days later, the man suspected of killing Michalski led officers to her body, police said.
In the Facebook group created after Michalski’s disappearance, family and friends thanked the public for their help and asked for privacy as they grieve.
“We are thankful that Kenzie’s soul is now at peace. Her memory and legacy will endure in the hearts of all whom she’s touched,” Michalski’s loved ones wrote. “To understand Kenzie’s spirit is to wholeheartedly embrace the vast joy and wonder of life. Her wish for the world: fully embrace the present moment, be your authentic self, practice kindness, and always walk in the light.”
Two candlelight vigils are slated to be held tomorrow for Michalski.
One will be held in Budapest, the last city the avid traveler visited.
The other is set to take place in Barker Commons in Fredonia — Michalski‘s hometown.