Dublin man jailed for 14 years for murdering American nurse in Budapest
A Budapest court has sentenced a Dublin man to 14 years in prison for killing American tourist Mackenzie Michalski in November 2024 and concealing her body.
Dublin man jailed for 14 years for murdering American nurse in Budapest
A Budapest court has sentenced a 38-year-old Dublin man to 14 years in prison and a 10-year ban from Hungary for killing Mackenzie Michalski (31), an American nurse, in November 2024 – according to The Irish Times.
The man claimed that the victim's death occurred accidentally during a one-night encounter, during consensual sexual activity. However, the judge rejected this defence and agreed with the prosecution that it was inconceivable that someone suffering from chronic neck pain would ask a stranger to strangle them.
The court heard previously that Michalski, who had arrived in Hungary as a tourist, died of asphyxiation after the man strangled her for at least two to three minutes. Autopsy examination revealed further injuries, including blunt force trauma to the head.
Police found a recording on the suspect's phone of the victim's naked, bound, lifeless body. The man's computer and a seized "spy pen" contained further evidence.
The Dublin man attempted to cover his tracks: he cleaned the rented flat, purchased a suitcase for the body, then rented a car and took the victim to woodland by Lake Balaton, where he left her to be eaten by wild boar.
The man was arrested in Budapest the following day and led police to the location where the body was concealed. The court also ordered him to pay court costs of €7,250. The defence plans to appeal the sentence.
Under Hungarian law, the names and photographs of defendants and convicted persons may only be made public with their consent. The Dublin man did not consent to the publication of his name.
Source: Irish Times