A hologram of a young woman is causing a stir in Amsterdam’s notorious Red Light District. The 3D image is designed to grab attention. She reaches out, knocks on a window, and breathes on the glass. Then, in a haunting moment, she writes “HELP” on the fogged-up surface.
The Image of Bernadette “Betty” Szabo
The lifelike hologram represents Bernadette “Betty” Szabo, a 19-year-old Hungarian woman who was murdered in 2009, just months after giving birth. Her death was violent and remains unsolved. For 15 years, police have been unable to catch her killer. Now, Dutch cold case detectives are using groundbreaking hologram technology to renew attention to the case.
A Fresh Approach to a Cold Case
The hologram of Betty Szabo is projected on a window in the same Red Light District where she worked before her death. Investigators hope the image will jog memories and bring forward new witnesses or information. Detective Anne Dreijer-Heemskerk is leading the investigation and says Betty’s death “was a horrific loss of a young woman’s life.” She is determined to find justice for the teenager.
A Life of Hardship
Betty’s story was one of resilience amidst hardship. She moved to Amsterdam from Hungary at 18, and shortly after, became pregnant. Despite her condition, she continued working as a sex worker. Even after giving birth, she returned to the streets. In February 2009, just three months after her son was born, Betty was found murdered in her brothel room.
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The Murder Discovery
The discovery was made in the early hours of February 19, 2009. Two fellow sex workers, concerned after noticing Betty’s usual music had stopped, went to check on her. Inside her small brothel room, they found her body, a victim of a brutal knife attack. Betty’s infant son was placed in foster care and never knew his mother. The tragedy is a driving force for investigators who are committed to finding Betty’s killer.
Cold Case, No Answers
Despite an immediate police investigation, including reviewing CCTV footage and interviewing witnesses, Betty’s killer remains unknown. Police suspect the murderer may have been a tourist, as many of the district’s visitors are from abroad. A €30,000 reward is being offered for any new information. The case is especially poignant as Amsterdam debates relocating its famous brothels to a new “erotic zone,” a controversial move that sex workers fear may increase their vulnerability.
A Reminder of Vulnerability
The hologram of Betty Szabo is not only a tool for solving her murder, but also a stark reminder of the risks faced by sex workers. Though the Red Light District is known for its security measures, it remains a dangerous area for those working in the industry. The hologram brings attention to the unresolved case and the ongoing challenges faced by women like Betty.
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