Amsterdam police use hologram to solve crime Murder of 19-year-old Hungarian prostituteBernadett “Betty” Szabó, and installed a hologram of the victim in the red light district, which will be active all this week, with the aim of obtaining new clues that could lead to the author of the tragic stabbing which shook the Netherlands. in 2009.
Those walking through the red light district this week will encounter an unusual image: a hologram of a blonde woman in shorts, a black printed bra, and a large dragon tattooed between her waist and chest. It is the image of a young woman named Bernadett who, from a window, ask for “help” to passers-by to elucidate his murder, 15 years after a crime which shocked not only the red light district, but the entire country.
The young Hungarian was 18 years old when she arrived in Amsterdam in 2008 and was forced to work as a prostitute behind the windows of the red light district (De Wallen). Betty became pregnant, but continued to see clients until the time of delivery. Her baby was placed in foster care and she returned to prostitution, but three months later she was murdered in her bedroom behind the window.
The police have not found the murderer
Two of his colleagues noticed his absence that night of February 19, 2009: we couldn’t hear the music he usually played and they hadn’t seen him leave, but they thought that, surely, “he had had a bad time.” day or had already left.” at his home,” they later testified.
After midnight and with no customers to serve, they decide to search Betty’s room: the young woman was dead, stabbed and in the middle of a large pool of blood. Police analyzed the crime scene, examined cameras and interviewed witnesses, without drawing any clear conclusions.
He arrested a 46-year-old man, but had to release him lack of evidence, while the red light district was filled with flowers and dozens of people took part in a silent march to denounce the murder and demand protection for sex workers.
Now, 15 years later, the Amsterdam police want to make one last attempt to ensure that the case does not remain unanswered and have launched an investigation intensive week-long campaign in search of new clues about what happened.
Information about the case was released in different ways, the red light district was filled with stickers with details about Betty and her death, screens showed images of the crime scene and the last video of her, and a documentary was made. .
But the main element is a life-size hologram inspired by Betty: Sitting on a stool, she interacts with passers-by to ask for help. “Doing it this way is unique and, to be honest, a bit risky. Before deciding on the hologram, we consulted with different groups inside and outside the police force, as well as the family, to do it in the most respectful way possible.” , explains Benjamin van Gogh, spokesperson for the research team.
Hologram and compensation
This visualization was created using 3D techniquessomething new for the Amsterdam police, although it may not be the last time they use it, if they manage to solve this traumatic case.
The team hopes Betty’s hologram will attract attention and motivate people with information to contact police, in exchange for compensation of 30,000 euros for the track that solves the riddle.
“Betty was murdered in one of the busiest neighborhoods in Amsterdam, perhaps in all of the Netherlands. It’s hard to believe that no one saw or heard anything strange. Someone would have may have even heard about the affair elsewhere, given that in De Wallen “There are people from all over the world. It’s been more than 15 years and we hope that those who were afraid before will now dare to speak out,” added Anne Dreijer-Heemskerk, from the cold case team.
There are many unknowns surrounding the case and investigators want to contact the customers Betty received the night of the murder, something that was already attempted in the days following the crime, but no cooperation was obtained.
They now hope to appeal to the feelings of those who can contribute their grain of sand to solving the case. “We believe the hologram can create an emotional connection that compels someone to speak.“, said Van Gogh. Solving this crime would mean “doing justice to Betty, to her family and to the case”, he admitted. The hologram will be visible until November 16.
