$36,000 has been raised to help find a Fredonia native killed in Budapest

But days after Mackenzie “Kenzie” Michalski went missing in Budapest, authorities confirmed Friday that she had been found dead and a man had been arrested in connection with her murder.

The fundraiser was launched Thursday as friends gathered to try to find Michalski, and in just over a day, the community rallied to raise more than $35,800 by Friday evening to help with the search efforts.

The man charged with her murder is 37 years old and an Irish citizen. Police in Budapest say he confessed to the crime and led police to the hiding place of the body. Police will hold a press conference on Saturday to provide further details.

According to Budapest police, Michalski went missing from a Budapest nightclub on Tuesday.

She had traveled with friends but stayed one more night in Budapest.

Michalski, who lived in Portland, Oregon, and worked as a nurse, was supposed to take a flight home from Europe on Tuesday, but her family said she never got on that plane and never checked out of her Airbnb.

A candlelight vigil in memory of Michalski will be held at Barker Commons in Fredonia on Saturday at 6 p.m.

“Kenzie will forever be remembered as a beautiful and compassionate young woman who was committed to caring for others and making the world a better place,” her family said in a statement. “As a nurse, Kenzie used her humor, positivity and boundless empathy to heal her patients and encourage family and friends alike.”