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Crime

Horror: Turkish Authorities Find Body of Missing American Woman in Istanbul

Feb. 2, 2013 9:22pm
Turkey: Body of Missing New York City Woman Sarai Sierra Found in Istanbul, Possibly Stabbed to Death

(Photo: AP/Family Photo)

(TheBlaze/AP) — A New York City woman who went missing while vacationing alone in Istanbul was found dead on Saturday, and police detained nine people for questioning in connection with the case, Turkey’s state-run news agency said.

Sarai Sierra, a 33-year-old mother of two, was last heard from on Jan. 21, the day she was due to fly home. Her disappearance attracted significant interest in Turkey, where the disappearance of tourists is rare, and Istanbul police reportedly set up a special unit to find her.

The state-run Anadolu Agency said the body of a woman was discovered Saturday evening near the remnants of ancient city walls and that police later identified it as Sierra’s.

They did not say what caused her death, but the private NTV television reported that she was stabbed to death, and another reported that she had a head wound, suggesting she may have been hit with an object.

Police reached by The Associated Press refused to comment on the case.

Sierra, whose children are 9 and 11, had left for Istanbul on Jan. 7 to explore her photography hobby and made a side trip to Amsterdam, Netherlands, and Munich, Germany. She had originally planned to travel with a friend, but ended up traveling alone when her friend canceled.

She was in regular contact with friends and relatives and was last in touch with her family on Jan. 21, the day she was due back in New York. She told them she would visit Galata Bridge, which spans Istanbul’s Golden Horn waterway, to take photos.

The body was found near the bridge and a major road that runs alongside the sea of Marmara. Tourists often photograph dozens of tankers there while waiting to access the Bosporus strait.

On Saturday, police stopped traffic there as forensic police inspected the area.

Anadolu suggested Sierra may have been killed at another location and that her body may have been brought to the site to be hidden there.

It was not clear if a Turkish man Sierra had exchanged emails with during her stay in Istanbul was among the nine detainees, though he was taken in for questioning and released on Friday. Turkish news reports said Sierra had arranged to meet the man on Galata Bridge, but he reportedly told police the meeting never took place.

Sierra’s husband, Steven, and her brother, David Jimenez, traveled to Istanbul to help search for her.

While break-ins and petty thievery are common in Istanbul, the vast and crowded city is considered relatively safe for foreigners compared to other major urban centers.

“It’s tragic, you can’t even go on vacation anymore and feel safe,” Sierra’s neighbor told CBS2.  “I feel bad for her whole family. I can’t imagine what they’re going through.”

The Associated Press has more:

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Comments (83)

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  • lynnissmart
    Posted on February 3, 2013 at 8:58am

    Too much lawlessness….including in the USA!

    Report this comment

    lynnissmart  
  • Mister Natural
    Posted on February 3, 2013 at 5:14am

    this weeks darwin award winner

    Report this comment

    Mister Natural  
    • Ceefour
      Posted on February 3, 2013 at 7:52am

      Exactly….although it may be cheaper to visit Chicago instead of the middle east…to get the same results…

      Report this comment

      Ceefour  
    • jcldwl
      Posted on February 3, 2013 at 8:31am

      This poor family must be one of the millions living with their heads in the sand. It’s a shame and I feel for those this woman left behind due to the poor decision she made.

      Report this comment

      jcldwl  
    • WarMunger_Al
      Posted on February 3, 2013 at 9:02am

      This story has quite a bit that doesn’t pass the smell test. Who lets their wife go alone to Turkey? Why was she contacting a strange man she only knew from the internet? Either she was cheating or she was spying. Maybe she had involvement with the embassy attack, either willingly or accidentally

      Report this comment

      WarMunger_Al  
  • Margyt
    Posted on February 3, 2013 at 5:13am

    As a woman, I wouldn’t travel anywhere in the world alone…including parts of the US. One of my worst experiences was dropping off a rental car near LAX. I have been verbally assaulted by Muslim men in the mideast. My daughter was almost abducted out of the middle of a large tour group. That said, thank God they found this woman’s body. At least the family doesn’t have to worry about her being held and tortured like Daniel Pearl.

    Report this comment

    Margyt  
  • Mister Natural
    Posted on February 3, 2013 at 5:10am

    married mother of 2 leaves home to go to turkey alone?
    this week’s Darwin Award winner

    Report this comment

    Mister Natural  
  • betterpart
    Posted on February 3, 2013 at 3:45am

    If you want to stay reasonably safe, then stay in your own country the USA. Plenty of good sights to see here and the food ain’t bad.

    Report this comment

    betterpart  
  • Daddymac10
    Posted on February 3, 2013 at 3:39am

    For a western woman to travel along to an Islamic country on vacation is a suicide mission. Did she not know that?? It’s like driving an expensive car into Mexico, you’re guaranteed to get car-jacked, you’ll be lucky to survive with your life. It’s critical that every American vacationing abroad must educate themselves about how to be safe…

    Report this comment

    Daddymac10  
    • RDYSTGO
      Posted on February 3, 2013 at 7:23am

      Daddymac10 that car doesn’t have to be expensive and just pull it anywhere near San Antonio south and the son of a gun is outta here man along with many other things.

      Report this comment

      RDYSTGO  
    • topperj
      Posted on February 3, 2013 at 12:45pm

      I’d guess she’s one of these COEXIST people.Total idealist, seeing, hearing and speaking no evil. No mention of what kind of guy her husband happens to be. Men, would you let your wife run off ALONE to Turkey? Maybe the mall, but not Turkey!

      Report this comment

      topperj  
  • Chancellor
    Posted on February 3, 2013 at 2:15am

    Hey people you want to be stupid…….Travel to Europe without means of protecting yourself.

    You are a walking, talking target a rich one to boot. Yea take a young woman with 3 kids and let here go to one of the most dangerous cities in the world???

    Let me guess I should be upset about this? How about you idiots going over there on Vakay read about the area your going to first……. Hey I hear the Grand Canyon is nice this time of year also most of America is a lot safer.

    Report this comment

    Chancellor  
  • Netsurfer2
    Posted on February 3, 2013 at 1:43am

    In many places life means nothing! It can also be like this in America! Take for instance a couple who turned down the wrong dead end street in gang territory and had no idea what dangers they were in! So many places that I would never want to live in! As more people in the world become less educated hardened thugs, it is getting much worse in time! Just a matter of time when American’s take back their neighborhoods!

    Report this comment

    Netsurfer2  
    • smellysocks
      Posted on February 3, 2013 at 8:27am

      It doesn’t really have anything to do with education, it has everything to do with an abandonment of the true faith. As more and more people abandon Christ, more and more people lose the concept of the sanctity of human life, and thus evil comes to fill this vacuum. Islam and Godlessness are synonymous. Pray, pray the rosary, turn back to Christ, fill the pews of the Christian churches. Now is the time for a new Crusade, a crusade of prayer.

      Report this comment

      smellysocks  
  • Brother_Jae
    Posted on February 3, 2013 at 1:02am

    I know models who get work over there. If they don’t keep things in place of these attacks, they’ll loose plenty of business. Let alone they have Christian tours there. She might wanted to sell her photos in a gallery too.

    Report this comment

    Brother_Jae  
  • IreBelle
    Posted on February 2, 2013 at 11:31pm

    Sleazy, you’re a complete douche bag but I must admit I’m laughing at how many people aren’t catching on to your sarcasm.

    Report this comment

    IreBelle  
  • LeadNotFollow
    Posted on February 2, 2013 at 11:03pm

    If the American media would do their job and warn U.S. citizens of the dangers of traveling to Islamic countries, she would never have gone to Turkey in the first place.

    No woman in her right mind would have traveled alone into a Muslim country, had she been well informed of the dangers.

    Report this comment

    LeadNotFollow  
    • Coyote1953
      Posted on February 2, 2013 at 11:51pm

      Sorry to hear the tragic news, but who in their right mind would go to an Islamic country right now?

      Liberals are mentally ill and not in their “right mind”.

      Report this comment

      Coyote1953  
    • RDYSTGO
      Posted on February 3, 2013 at 7:28am

      Amen to that and extend those warnings and broadcast them everyday because people, it aint all like Cancun okay!!!! STAY OUT OF MEXICO AMERICANS!!! You have no idea.

      Report this comment

      RDYSTGO  
  • neverending
    Posted on February 2, 2013 at 10:40pm

    Such a tragedy. A wife and more importantly a Mother of two children 9 and 11 and she has to go off on a vacation to Istanbul??? That makes no sense and in my opinion is just plain stupidity but then I guess I am just too old fashioned! How does it go – everybody has to be able to do their own thing or something like that? What a crock of bull. That being said my heart breaks for those two kids as no kids should have to face this in their young lives.

    Report this comment

    neverending  
    • Sleazy Hippo
      Posted on February 2, 2013 at 11:01pm

      Hopefully the husband is still young enough to get another girl who will stay home this time and take care of those kids so he can go to earn a living. But until then, he is going to have to pay through the nose for cooking, cleaning, child care, homework, shopping, accounting, driving to lessons, laundry, teacher meetings, and entertaining co-workers and friends. Also if he is not married before Autumn; he will now have to hire a Caterer for Thanksgiving and Christmas next year. This year’s Super Bowl is totally shot.

      Report this comment

      Sleazy Hippo  
  • Jedrin
    Posted on February 2, 2013 at 10:32pm

    She must not have cared about her family. Another selfish New Yorker, she shouldn’t be considered a US citizen or American. Probably wanted to get involved in the revolution, do her part or something. That Ben Gazi guy again?

    Report this comment

    Jedrin  
    • Sleazy Hippo
      Posted on February 2, 2013 at 11:04pm

      Now, if the husband can just use the insurance money properly, he can get a Conservative girl who will not be a strong headed pain; someone who knows her place. I hope he is still in shape and can get her pregnant to make sure she won’t run away the first time things get tough. Even if he has to get a Mexican girl, he better learn his lesson versus strong Libbie Gals.

      Report this comment

      Sleazy Hippo  
    • Fubared
      Posted on February 3, 2013 at 11:16am

      Strong libbie gals are an oxy hippo.

      Report this comment

      Fubared  
  • powedj
    Posted on February 2, 2013 at 10:30pm

    It’s George Bush’s fault!!!.

    Report this comment

    powedj  
  • FIREANDBRIMSTONE
    Posted on February 2, 2013 at 10:22pm

    Yep. Typical anti-muslim hate speech as usual from the extreme right wing tea people.

    Report this comment

    FIREANDBRIMSTONE  
    • 13th Imam
      Posted on February 2, 2013 at 10:47pm

      Uh, a single American female traveling thru an Anti-American country. And you say we are anti- muslim? That’s like you, a dorky pedophile walking thru Detroit. Liberalism is a mental disorder.

      Report this comment

      13th Imam  
    • AB5r
      Posted on February 2, 2013 at 10:55pm

      No infidel is safe in ANY location that is mostly Muslims. The problem is the hate that Islam creates in it’s followers for all non-Muslims. It is why Islam should not be allowed in the West at all. Islam has already destroyed many of the great world civilization in the Middle East and surrounding areas. The West needs to save itself from the same fate and keep Islam out. Already in Europe there are thousands of “no go” zones that are not even safe for infidel police or emergency crews to go! Any normal sane person resents the destruction that Islam has wrought on the world.

      Report this comment

      AB5r  
    • Chromo200
      Posted on February 2, 2013 at 11:18pm

      yes and I am proud to be anti islam .. a violent religion that subjugates its people specially women and children .

      Report this comment

      Chromo200  
    • MDECKER
      Posted on February 2, 2013 at 11:19pm

      You left out, as often as humanly possible too.

      Report this comment

      MDECKER  
    • katzkiner
      Posted on February 3, 2013 at 5:32pm

      Islam is to humans as rabies is to dogs. W. Churchill

      Report this comment

      katzkiner  
  • taxpro4u03
    Posted on February 2, 2013 at 10:08pm

    Betcha Brad Thor ‘knows…’ ;-)

    Report this comment

    taxpro4u03  
  • kapnkd
    Posted on February 2, 2013 at 10:04pm

    Pure stupidity for a woman to go traveling alone in any large American City (Chicago – NYC – Detroit) by herself let alone to other countries – ESPECIALLY the Middle East!!!!!!

    Sadly, the outcome of her decisions was inevitable BEFORE she even started her trip!!

    Lessons to be learned for anyone else thinking of doing ANYTHING similar.

    Report this comment

    kapnkd  
    • Sleazy Hippo
      Posted on February 2, 2013 at 10:55pm

      The proper and prudent thing to do is always stay home. Especially if you belong to a man and have children to rear. What is wrong with these New Yorkers who are not smart enough to be afraid.

      Report this comment

      Sleazy Hippo  
    • 13th Imam
      Posted on February 2, 2013 at 11:03pm

      Who are you and what have you done with sleazy?

      Report this comment

      13th Imam  
    • ZaphodsPlanet
      Posted on February 3, 2013 at 12:12am

      Quit replying to Sleezy….. he’s paid to post here.

      Report this comment

      ZaphodsPlanet  
    • Sleazy Hippo
      Posted on February 3, 2013 at 12:29am

      Cannot tell a lie – yes every time someone replies to one of my posts I recieve either $ 2,004.00 or a selection of deluxe meats and desserts from Omaha Steaks.

      OK ladies – if you are afraid to let the world know how you feel don’t blame me.

      Report this comment

      Sleazy Hippo  
    • davisgarvey
      Posted on February 3, 2013 at 12:51pm

      @Sleazy Hippo, you stated….”The proper and prudent thing to do is always stay home. Especially if you belong to a man and have children to rear. What is wrong with these New Yorkers who are not smart enough to be afraid.”

      She had every right to risk the welfare of her children and travel to an area that might be deemed somewhat at risk to westerners. She should be able to think of her wants and needs first, not her children’s welfare. Yes, they are important but her interests have to come first. Unfortunately, she paid the ultimate price for pursuing her interests and for being well within her rights.I am glad she was unafraid (probably right up until the last moments of her life). Too bad she is dead. Too bad for her. Too bad for her kids. Too bad you cannot see the bigger picture.

      Report this comment

      davisgarvey  
  • spirited
    Posted on February 2, 2013 at 9:55pm

    There were reports, which included an interview with the female friend who decided not to go on the trip (due to financial constraints), and on with her husband –who was concerned that she was missing. Also, it was reported that some of her personal belongings were left at a hotel where she was staying. There was airport footage showing her going through security (…putting her shoes, scarf and hat on) on the day she was supposed to return to the US.
    Also reported (after her husband and brother arrived in Turkey -looking for her) was that she had
    made some wierd flights; went to Turkey, then Europe, then back to Turkey.

    In any event…., how sad and tragic. (head shake, sigh)

    Report this comment

    spirited  
  • cosmic dogma
    Posted on February 2, 2013 at 9:51pm

    Very sad for her family. Better to know the truth of her murder than to wonder what happened to her and where is she, for the rest of her families lives. Don’t travel to a muslim country, it is dangerous.

    Report this comment

    cosmic dogma  
    • Sleazy Hippo
      Posted on February 2, 2013 at 10:07pm

      She looked like she was covered up pretty well and her makeup was not slutty, so she was probably murdered for robbery instead of Muslim Outrage. I wonder if there is a correlation between “Muslim Countries” and American Women exposed to Danger. We could compare it to the regularity of date rapes and domestic violence in a safe Christian society like Phoenix Arizona or Mexico City.

      Report this comment

      Sleazy Hippo  
    • Anonymous T. Irrelevant
      Posted on February 3, 2013 at 2:43am

      Or dates with SLEAZY.

      Report this comment

      Anonymous T. Irrelevant  
  • Locked
    Posted on February 2, 2013 at 9:43pm

    How tragic! I pray that her family finds comfort in their time of need :-(

    Report this comment

    Locked  
  • Anonymous T. Irrelevant
    Posted on February 2, 2013 at 9:31pm

    Not real smart for a woman to vacationing, alone, in a muslim country. What was she thinking? She had two children, for Pete’s sake.

    Report this comment

    Anonymous T. Irrelevant  
    • RJJinGadsden
      Posted on February 2, 2013 at 9:45pm

      ANONYMOUS T. IRRELEVANT, From the very beginning of this story I have wondered if there is more to it than we are allowed to see…..even by the family?

      Report this comment

      RJJinGadsden  
    • Sleazy Hippo
      Posted on February 2, 2013 at 9:47pm

      Definitely the victim’s fault, those kids were obviously not important to her. Any woman with children should just stay home and learn to do domestic chores until they are out of grade school, or maybe these days, undergraduate university. Now, until the husband can get another wife, he will need to pay through the nose for child care. What a selfish woman she would be had she lived.

      Report this comment

      Sleazy Hippo  
    • neverending
      Posted on February 2, 2013 at 9:53pm

      My first thought as well.

      Report this comment

      neverending  
    • CatB
      Posted on February 2, 2013 at 9:56pm

      She had a friend who was supposed to go with her .. but couldn’t at the last minute .. I forget why .. it was on the news. Yes I would have canceled the trip then again .. I wouldn’t go outside the country on a U.S. passport except for perhaps Canada or Bermuda. This is what happens when an American Ambassador is murdered and others .. and nothing is done .. America looks weak .. because we have weak leadership.

      Condolences to her family …

      Report this comment

      CatB  
  • Comcast3
    Posted on February 2, 2013 at 9:31pm

    American woman traveling alone to a mooslim country. Brilliant idea.

    Report this comment

    Comcast3  
    • Sleazy Hippo
      Posted on February 2, 2013 at 10:00pm

      In the UK, “brilliant” means a “good/smart/clever” outcome, but you must be using the sarcastic Valley Girl version, that means, “DD-duh, BADDDDDDDDDDDDDDD” idea!”

      Report this comment

      Sleazy Hippo  
    • Comcast3
      Posted on February 2, 2013 at 11:25pm

      Correct. Last 2 words were dripping with sarcasm.

      Report this comment

      Comcast3  
  • blanco5
    Posted on February 2, 2013 at 9:30pm

    Instanbul is a mussie city. Why in the world would a woman travel alone there?

    Report this comment

    blanco5  
    • Anonymous T. Irrelevant
      Posted on February 2, 2013 at 9:50pm

      As a woman, from NYC, she let the delusion of multiculturism dull her senses.

      Report this comment

      Anonymous T. Irrelevant  
    • Sleazy Hippo
      Posted on February 2, 2013 at 9:52pm

      Great question, I wonder if it was to save money. That would be if she was a Conservative. If she were a Liberal, it was probably because she expected a civilized country to be safe, or maybe to save fuel and electricity. If she leaned libertarian, maybe it was because she just felt like doing what she wanted.

      Report this comment

      Sleazy Hippo  
    • Anonymous T. Irrelevant
      Posted on February 2, 2013 at 10:05pm

      She was from New York City, of course she was a liberal.

      Report this comment

      Anonymous T. Irrelevant  
    • Shasta
      Posted on February 2, 2013 at 10:07pm

      Multiculturalism is a delusion of western cultures. Muslim countries on the other hand have no intention of even trying to assimilate cultures or people different from themselves. All they offer is hostility.

      Report this comment

      Shasta  
  • ares338
    Posted on February 2, 2013 at 9:29pm

    Something smells fishy here.

    Report this comment

    ares338  
    • Sleazy Hippo
      Posted on February 2, 2013 at 9:49pm

      It’s probably that the dead body was a woman’s. Decaying male bodies smell like pork.

      Report this comment

      Sleazy Hippo  
    • Fubared
      Posted on February 3, 2013 at 11:13am

      Hippo on point with a topic it appears to know inside and out.

      Report this comment

      Fubared  
  • gyro
    Posted on February 2, 2013 at 9:28pm

    condolences to her family for the loss
    Those places are not good and filled with bad people
    and most dont like americans

    Report this comment

    gyro  
    • Sleazy Hippo
      Posted on February 2, 2013 at 9:57pm

      Yes, it is interesting that there are not any Department of State notices to travelers that state Turkey is a bad place. Along with just about every single other non-USA country except Canada, New Zealand, Australia, and the UK. Oh, and except for it is not foreign there should be warnings for Detroit and East LA and other Chicago-style “bad places” and many individual “districts” nation-wide.

      Report this comment

      Sleazy Hippo  
    • CatB
      Posted on February 2, 2013 at 10:04pm

      Don’t think I would do the U.K. either .. pretty much being taken over by Muslim gangs running the neighborhoods .. especially after dark … tourists beware.

      Report this comment

      CatB  
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