The Dutch police are employing an eye-catching hologram of murdered sex worker Betty Szabo in Amsterdam's red-light district to revive interest in her cold case and encourage any potential witnesses to come forward.
Hologram Remembers Murdered Sex Worker Betty Szabo in Amsterdam’s Red Light District
Hologram Remembers Murdered Sex Worker Betty Szabo in Amsterdam’s Red Light District
Innovative 3D hologram seeks to solve cold-case murder of Betty Szabo, highlighting sex worker vulnerabilities.
A haunting hologram of Bernadette "Betty" Szabo now captivates visitors in Amsterdam’s infamous red-light district, aiming to draw attention to her unsolved murder. The image portrays the young sex worker, whose tragic fate remains a mystery 15 years after her brutal stabbing.
Dressed in faded denim shorts and a leopard-print bra, the hologram reaches out from behind a window, creating a chilling interaction by seeming to knock at the glass and then writing "help." This visually striking digital presence is intended to evoke compassion and pique the memories of those who may have witnessed something relevant.
Szabo, a 19-year-old Hungarian, was murdered in 2009 just three months after giving birth. Her body was discovered by fellow sex workers who noticed her silence amid the busy sounds of the district. A life filled with hardship saw her turning to sex work to support herself during her pregnancy, but her dreams were tragically cut short in a savage attack that left her baby in foster care and unaware of his mother’s existence.
Despite immediate investigations involving CCTV pulls and questioning witnesses, no leads have brought the case to resolution. Highlighting the growing concerns for sex workers' safety, detectives hope that this innovative hologram will spur recollections from visitors and locals alike who may have crossed paths with Szabo or her killer, offering a substantial reward of €30,000 for tips.
As the city debates relocating brothels to a less visible "erotic zone," Szabo's hologram serves as a stark reminder of the risks faced by sex workers, symbolizing the unresolved violence that can lurk even in bustling areas. For now, her digital likeness serves a dual purpose: memorializing her struggle and pressing the community to remember—answering the questions that remain in her case is essential for healing.
