Irish suspect in murder of US nurse in Budapest ‘intentionally’ killed her, police say.

The 37-year-old Irishman – who can only be legally identified by his initials MLT – has admitted to killing the 31-year-old tourist who was last seen at a nightclub in the capital.

It is understood that he has claimed he accidentally killed her during sex before later placing her body in a suitcase.

The alleged killer was captured by detectives within 24 hours of the US citizen’s disappearance at a rented apartment in Terezváros.

It’s claimed he had met the woman in a nightclub before bringing her back to the rented property.

Police told local media it appeared the man killed Mackenzie during “an intimate relationship”

However, in a new statement released to US media, Budapest Police are now saying they believe the death of the young tourist was an “intentional murder”.

In response to an inquiry about the investigation into Mackenzie Michalski’s death 7 News reported that they had received this response from police.

“According to the ongoing investigation being carried out by the Budapest Metropolitan Police the perpetrator intentionally murdered the victim,” police said in a statement.

“The suspect is under arrest. For the time being no further information can be shared about the ongoing criminal procedure.”

It has previously been reported that investigators believe the suspect killed Michalski while the two were intimate.

After her death, the suspect allegedly hid her body in his closet while he went out to buy a suitcase. He then allegedly put her body in the suitcase and took her to a wooded area near Lake Balaton, about two hours from Budapest.

Michalski’s family have also said that despite his claims, they believe the man suspected of killing her did it deliberately.

In a new statement from the Michalski family, they say the “death was in no way accidental despite claims to the contrary”.

The family says it was a deliberate and violent murder, based on evidence they’ve reviewed.

“Update: We are relieved to be back in the United States and have Kenzie home with us – although not in the manner we had hoped,” they have written.

“Thank you from the bottom of our 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.

“We 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

“The Hungarian Police have worked tirelessly to find Kenzie and arrest her murderer and still continue their diligent investigation. The head of homicide met with us several times to keep us informed. We were treated with kindness and compassion during our eight-day stay in Budapest.

“One important point needs to be clarified. Based on all available evidence reviewed during consultation with the Hungarian Police, our daughter’s death was in no way accidental despite claims to the contrary.

“It was a deliberate and violent murder. After our encouraging interactions with the Hungarian Police and other authorities, we remain hopeful that Kenzie’s killer will be held responsible for his crimes to the fullest extent of the law.”

Chilling video footage released previously by Hungarian investigators shows the Irish murder suspect leading police to the body.

In the video taken the suspect is seen being finger-printed as police officers watch and is then photographed with his face toward the camera and from the side.

Wearing an adidas top, the suspect, whose face is blurred throughout, has his hands pressed onto documentation to leave an imprint.

Police officers can be seen conversing in

He then has a black belt tied around his waist which is secured by more handcuffs before police use it as a leash as they march him along a corridor.

The next part of the footage shows him being taken out of a police car on the outskirts of Szigliget, two hours from the city, while still handcuffed to officers.

He is then seen leading officers through a thickly wooded area consisting of bushes and knee-length grass.

Police dogs wait by the side of the road as they prepare to follow the team while specialist officers in hazmat suits leave markers along the trail.

The suspect is then seen being led to a police van as the final shot focuses on his handcuffed hands.

Police have revealed how Michalski’s killer made a series of disturbing online searches after her death, including: ‘Do pigs really eat dead bodies?’ and ‘Texas woman killed by wild boar’.

He also searched for ‘appearance of wild boar in the settlements along the Lake Balaton’ which is the area he would later dump her body.

Other searches included asking ‘what does a dead body smell like after it decomposes’ and how to ‘remove rotting meat smell.’

(Sunday world)