The Amsterdam police have launched a new campaign in the Red Light District to try to solve the cold case of Bernadett “Betty” Szabó, a 19-year-old sex worker who was murdered in 2009. The campaign, running for a week, seeks to attract attention to the case through various means, with a prominent feature being a hologram inspired by Betty. This hologram, a first for the Amsterdam police, portrays a lifelike version of Betty, asking passersby to come forward with any information that might help solve her murder.
Betty, originally from Hungary, moved to Amsterdam at the age of 18 to work as a sex worker in the Red Light District. During her time there, she became pregnant, working throughout her pregnancy and after her child’s birth. Three months after giving birth, she was killed in her workspace on the Oudezijds Achterburgwal, suffering dozens of stab wounds. On the night of her death, February 19, 2009, colleagues became concerned when they noticed she was missing and her usual music was not playing. They eventually found her lying in a pool of blood after being brutally attacked.
The Amsterdam Cold Case Team has committed to making a final, determined attempt to solve her case. “Betty’s story is deeply moving,” explained Anne Dreijer-Heemskerk from the Cold Case Team. The renewed effort is aimed at encouraging potential witnesses who might have stayed silent to come forward. The reward for information leading to an arrest has been increased to 30,000 euros.
A building in the Red Light District has been set up with large posters and screens displaying scenes from the crime scene, footage of Betty, and a documentary about her. The hologram shows a lifelike, seated image of Betty, appealing directly to passersby. This hologram, created using 3D visualization techniques, is central to the campaign’s approach of giving the victim a face. Benjamin van Gogh, coordinator of the Amsterdam Crime Communications Team, explained that this approach was carefully considered and discussed with Betty’s family and other stakeholders. “We want to honor Betty, her family, and the case,” said Van Gogh. The campaign’s goal is to encourage anyone who may have information to reach out to the police.
In addition to the hologram and projections, posters will be displayed and flyers distributed around the area to maximize the campaign’s reach and visibility.
