In a striking new initiative, Dutch police have implemented holographic technology to further their investigation into the cold-case murder of Bernadette "Betty" Szabo, a young sex worker who was killed in Amsterdam in 2009. The ghostly figure, designed to appear lifelike, is dressed in a way that mirrors Szabo's own attire—a pair of denim hotpants and a leopard-print bra—and displays a haunting plea for help by writing on the glass of a brothel window.
This digital representation is being projected in the heart of Amsterdam's red-light district where Szabo, who moved from Hungary, was brutally murdered just months after giving birth to her child. Detective Anne Dreijer-Heemskerk, leading this innovative effort, expressed her resolve to bring justice for a young woman whose life was cut short at only 19. Szabo's story is one of hardship, resilience, and ultimately tragedy—she continued her work as a sex worker throughout her pregnancy and returned shortly after her son's birth.
Betty's body was discovered by fellow sex workers on February 19, 2009, when they became concerned after noticing her absence. They found her lifeless in a cramped brothel room, the victim of a violent stabbing. Since then, investigators have been unable to apprehend her killer, despite thorough searches of CCTV footage and interviews with potential witnesses. The absence of leads has prompted police to reach out to tourists and the public for any relevant information, offering a €30,000 reward for assistance.
As Amsterdam debates plans to possibly relocate its brothels into a designated “erotic zone,” Betty Szabo's hologram serves as a chilling reminder of the dangers sex workers face, even in an area known for strict safety measures. Critics argue that pushing sex work out of visibility could further endanger these workers. With little eyewitness testimony since the crime, the digital reminder calls upon the public to reflect back on their experiences in the area and to help close the chapter on this heartbreaking cold case.
