Search notice
Bernadett (Betty) Szabó (English)
On 20 February 2009, Bernadett, who was also called Betty, was found lying in a pool of blood in a prostitute’s workroom on Oudezijds Achterburgwal in Amsterdam’s red-light district. She had been brutally murdered. Alarmed by the unusual silence in her room, her fellow sex workers found her that night. The case has still not been solved. The cold-case team of the Netherlands Police hopes that with your help they can finally solve the case.
Voor Nederlands: klik hier.
Magyarhoz kattints ide.
Betty was born in the city of Nyíregyháza in the poor northeastern part of Hungary. She and her family live in poverty. Despite the sometimes difficult circumstances and limited opportunities, she does well in school. She spends her free time gardening and playing her violin, which earns her several prizes.
When Betty grows a bit older, she notices the differences between her and her classmates more and more. She does not have the money to buy the things that others can afford. She decides abruptly to change her life, rapidly loses 25 kilos, and departs for Amsterdam when she is eighteen.
An entirely different life awaits her in Amsterdam. Betty starts working as a sex worker in the red-light district. She has a striking appearance, with her friendly smile and a big tattoo of a dragon on her stomach and chest. Betty becomes pregnant during her time in Amsterdam and is nicknamed “pinguin” because she continues to work during her pregnancy. Much to Betty’s grief, her son is placed with a foster family shortly after his birth.
Three months after she gave birth, Bernadett, so full of life, is murdered in a brutal manner. On the night of her death, two fellow sex workers realise they haven’t seen Betty or heard her in her workroom. At first they think that Betty may have a bad day or may have gone home early. Late at night when they have time, they decide to check on Betty. They find her lying in a pool of blood. It turns out she was murdered.
You can help
Despite a thorough investigation at the time, the case remains unsolved to this day.
It is never too late to talk. The reward for information that can solve the case has been increased to 30,000 euro. Do you remember something that you have not reported yet but may be relevant to the investigation? Then contact the police.
Call the free police tip-off line 0800 - 6070 or email to coldcase.amsterdam@politie.nl.
You can also give information anonymously via Meld Misdaad Anoniem (Crimestoppers NL) on number 0800 – 7000. If you would prefer to have a confidential talk with someone from the Criminal Intelligence Team, call 088-661 7734.
