Amsterdam, Netherlands – In the heart of Amsterdam’s bustling red light district, an innovative appeal for justice captivates passersby with the haunting holographic depiction of Bernadett “Betty” Szabo, a 19-year-old sex worker whose murder 15 years ago remains unsolved. The vivid hologram, designed to breathe life into the cold case, displays Szabo pressing forward against the glass and breathing out the word “help.”
Szabo’s life was tragically cut short when she was discovered fatally wounded in the early hours of February 19, 2009. Originally from Nyíregyháza, Hungary, Szabo moved to Amsterdam at 18, drawn by the city’s openness but found herself navigating the precarious world of its infamous sex trade. A lover of gardening and a skilled violinist, her life in Amsterdam diverged sharply from her interests, marked by long hours and harsh realities.
A distinctive figure with a large dragon tattoo across her torso, Szabo continued working in the district during her pregnancy, which earned her the affectionate nickname “pinguin,” the Dutch word for penguin. Tragically, just three months after giving birth, Szabo was killed, leaving her newborn son, who was subsequently placed in foster care and deprived of ever knowing his mother.
Since her death, the pursuit for her assailant has been relentless yet fruitless, with local authorities now offering a €30,000 reward to anyone who can provide information leading to the arrest of the killer. With the introduction of the holographic display, investigators hope to rekindle interest and gather new insights into the unsolved case.
Anne Dreijer-Heemskerk, a member of the cold case team, shared that the brutality of Szabo’s murder coupled with her challenging life conditions deepens the tragedy of this case. She emphasized, “It is unimaginable that in such a crowded district, where secrets are hard to keep, that her attacker remains unidentified. It’s essential we remember her story and work continuously to seek justice.”
The hologram aims to not only remind the local population of the unresolved injustice but also reach the numerous international visitors to the district. Considering the global foot traffic in the area, authorities stress the possibility that foreign tourists might hold clues, however minute, which could be pivotal in solving the case.
Police are urging anyone who was in the vicinity on the date of Szabo’s death, or who might have seen anything unusual, to come forward. They are especially interested in reaching out to international visitors who might have been in the red light district at the time, reflecting on the area’s high tourist activity both in 2009 and the present day.
In a bid to extend their reach, police are utilizing contemporary digital platforms and international police cooperation to disseminate Szabo’s story beyond Dutch borders, appealing to potential witnesses worldwide.
The holographic display, installed in one of the iconic windows of the red light district, will remain for a week. Authorities and the Amsterdam community alike hold a collective breath, hoping that this modern method will shed new light on an old case, bringing justice for Betty Szabo at last.