In September 2014, a horrific crime rocked Zurich, Switzerland, revealing the often-hidden dangers faced by sex workers, even in seemingly controlled environments.
The victim, a 25-year-old Polish woman identified only as
JP due to Swiss privacy laws, was a high-end sex worker who had built a reputation as a “top shot of the industry.” Her life was tragically cut short after an encounter with Robert S., a 49-year-old former investment banker.
JP, who had trained as a nurse in Poland and maintained a close relationship with her family, met Robert S. at the luxurious Dolder Grand Hotel, a five-star establishment overlooking Lake Zurich. Room rates at the hotel start at £560 (700 CHF) per night, reflecting the high-end nature of her work. Known to her clients as “Ona” or “Kathleen,” JP had reportedly agreed to a substantial five-figure sum for a session that
involved elements of suffocation, a detail that would later complicate the investigation into her death.
Robert S., a former investment manager, allegedly strangled JP during their encounter. Whether her death was an accidental result of consensual sadomasochistic activities or a deliberate act of violence remains unclear. What followed was even more chilling: Robert transported JP’s body from the hotel to his flat in the nearby town of Küsnacht, where he stored her corpse in a wine fridge in his cellar.
The crime came to light after JP’s family, alarmed by her sudden silence—she called home daily—reported her missing. Police discovered her body during a search of Robert S.’s residence about a week after the murder. He was promptly arrested and charged with her murder.
The case sent shockwaves through Switzerland, a country known for its regulated and relatively safe sex industry. Advocates like Regula Rother, who heads a group for sex workers’ rights, highlighted the unique risks faced by high-end providers, noting that practices like sadomasochism are particularly lucrative but can also be perilous.
The case luckily ended with Robert receiving a life sentence in prison.
