British tourist brutally murdered in Budapest – photos, updated
The killer tried to dispose of the brutally stabbed body from the top floor of a Budapest apartment building, but police arrived in time. Residents say they will never forget the shocking scene and the amount of blood. The case took an unexpected turn this afternoon: the perpetrator revealed more chilling details about the brutal murder in their confession.
Stabbed to death by a friend
A British citizen was fatally stabbed early Monday morning in Budapest’s District VII, and the suspect, also a British national, was apprehended at the scene, according to the Budapest Police Headquarters (BRFK) via police.hu. The call reporting the stabbing came in at 4:13 AM Monday, indicating that a British man had been attacked in an apartment in Erzsébetváros. Paramedics attempted to save him, but he succumbed to his injuries.
City police investigators conducted a scene inspection and arrested the suspect, a 34-year-old British man, who was later taken into custody, Hungarian news agency MTI reported. Authorities have launched a homicide investigation. Questioned as a suspect, the man confessed to the crime. He has been detained, and prosecutors are seeking his formal arrest.
Police officers checked every trash bag
TV2’s Tények news program aired a detailed report, stating that the two young British men had come to Budapest to party and rented an apartment on Akácfa Street. Few permanent residents live in the building; most units are offered as short-term rentals, such as Airbnb, to foreign tourists. If you’re curious why Airbnb rentals have become cheaper in Budapest, click for more details.
An argument broke out between the 34-year-old suspect and the 28-year-old victim, which quickly escalated to violence. Investigators combed through garbage in search of the knife used in the stabbing, and TV2’s cameras found overturned trash bags throughout the building. According to the few permanent residents, trash, mess, and unpleasant odours caused by the constant flow of tourists are regular issues in the building.
He attempted to hide the body
The suspect tried to hide the body and was dragging it down the hallway when police arrived. One resident said they heard neither a struggle nor any noise early that morning, when the tragedy occurred. It’s still unclear what prompted police to show up at the building; it’s presumed one of the residents made the call.
By the time authorities arrived, a large pool of blood had already formed in front of the door. Paramedics called by police were unable to save the man’s life.
A lawyer interviewed by Tények explained that the suspect could face a prison sentence ranging from 1 to 15 years.
Update: the suspect talks about self-defence
According to reports from 24.hu, the suspect has admitted to committing the murder but insists it was purely an act of self-defence. He stated that he had been arguing with the victim and came home earlier than planned from the night out they had started together. After lying down, a struggle broke out when his friend arrived home in the early hours.
The suspect claims the victim attacked him with a knife, they wrestled, and when the knife fell from his hand, he picked it up and stabbed his attacker repeatedly in defence. Meanwhile, the prosecution has already requested his pre-trial detention due to the risk of flight or hiding.
Another Budapest district still reeling from another recent murder
On 4 September, residents of another Budapest district, Soroksár, were jolted awake by sirens and a heavy police presence. Officers rushed to a housing complex on Újtelep Street in District XXIII after a 30-year-old man allegedly stabbed his own mother.
For updates on the case of Kenzie Michalski, the American woman murdered in Budapest last November, see this article.
More of our crime stories can be found here.
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