Dutch Police Employ Hologram Technology to Crack 2009 Amsterdam Cold Case Murder

Dutch authorities are using innovative technology to revisit a 15-year-old cold case. A life-sized hologram of Bernadett Szabó, known as Betty, a young Hungarian sex worker murdered in Amsterdam's Red Light District in February 2009, now appears in the window of her former workplace. This effort is designed to encourage anyone with information to come forward, assisting in solving her murder.

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The hologram, part of an initiative by Dutch police and Amsterdam’s Missing Persons Team, faithfully recreates Betty, including details such as her large dragon tattoo. The projection is designed to be lifelike, sitting on a stool and looking up at passersby. It taps on the window and fogs up the glass, where the word “help” appears, an emotional plea for assistance.

Benjamin van Gogh, coordinator of the Missing Persons Team, explained that the projection aims to create a personal connection with Betty, encouraging people to share any information they might have. “We humanize victims in cold cases, but the hologram takes that a step further, giving Betty a presence that might move someone to come forward,” he said. Nearby, a building dedicated to Betty’s case displays large stickers and TV screens showing crime scene footage and a documentary about her life.

Betty, originally from Nyíregyháza, Hungary, moved to Amsterdam at 18 and began working in the Red Light District to support herself. After becoming pregnant, she continued working until giving birth in November 2008. Her son was placed in foster care.

On the night of February 19, 2009, Betty’s colleagues grew concerned when they didn’t hear the usual music from her workspace on Oudezijds Achterburgwal. At around 1 a.m., two sex workers discovered her body, which had been stabbed dozens of times. Despite years of investigation, the case remained unsolved.

Dutch police hope that this groundbreaking hologram installation will uncover new information from the public, especially from those who may have witnessed something but had not previously come forward.