A haunting hologram of 19-year-old sex worker Bernadette “Betty” Szabo, who was murdered in Amsterdam in 2009, now graces the city’s red-light district, aiming to jog memories and attract potential witnesses in her cold case. Betty, dressed in denim hotpants and a leopard-print bra, appears in the hologram to knock on the window, breathe on the glass, and write the word “help,” a symbolic appeal for justice after 15 years.
At a Glance:
- A hologram of murder victim Betty Szabo has been placed in Amsterdam’s red-light district to revive interest in her unsolved case.
- Szabo, a Hungarian sex worker, was fatally stabbed in 2009, just three months after giving birth.
- Dutch police hope the hologram will prompt potential witnesses to come forward, offering a €30,000 reward for information.
Betty Szabo’s Life and Tragic Death
Originally from Hungary, Betty moved to Amsterdam at age 18 and quickly found herself pregnant. Despite her pregnancy, she continued working, giving birth in November 2008. Her life was cut short just three months later, on February 19, 2009, when she was discovered stabbed to death in her small brothel room. The brutal murder left her infant son in foster care, never knowing his mother.
Investigators suspect her killer may have been a foreign visitor, and no substantial leads have been found despite an extensive investigation. With Amsterdam’s red-light district attracting tourists from around the globe, Dutch police hope someone who was in the area back then might remember something helpful.
A Unique Use of Technology to Solve a Cold Case
The hologram, projected behind a window in the red-light district, places Betty’s image among the many other sex workers who still make their living in this area. The lifelike 3D projection is intended to create a personal connection with passersby, reminding them of the victim’s humanity and the unresolved nature of her case.
The use of this hologram marks a novel approach in Dutch law enforcement’s efforts to re-engage the public. “Betty’s hologram may create a certain connection with her and thus convince a person to come forward,” said Benjamin van Gogh, the coordinator for the Amsterdam Wanted and Missing Persons Team.
The Call for Witnesses and the Reward
Betty’s tragic story has resurfaced as Amsterdam faces debates on relocating its brothels to a more remote location. Her hologram serves as a stark reminder of the dangers that sex workers face, even in well-lit, highly trafficked areas. With a €30,000 reward on offer, police urge anyone who was in Amsterdam in early 2009 to reach out with information that might finally lead to Betty’s killer.
As authorities continue to use cutting-edge technology in the hope of achieving justice for Betty, her hologram stands as both a memorial and a call to action in the heart of Amsterdam.
