Sarai Sierra:American Mother's Body Flies Home From Istanbul

Turkish Airlines provided a free flight home for the body of slain New York mother Sarai Sierra Thursday.The murder victim was found dead along ancient city walls of Istanbul,Turkey on February 2.She had gone missing on January 21 when she reportedly went to bridge she wanted to photograph and failed to fly home as scheduled the next day.
A Turkish citizen's group had helped in the search for Ms.Sierra,33.A man who had printed fliers for the effort accompanied four men carrying her canvas-draped coffin through the Galata Saray neighbourhood of Istanbul,holding her photo up as the small procession made its way to a waiting hearse.She had lain in repose in an Armenian Catholic church.
An autopsy showed signs of struggle and that she was killed by a blow to the head,suffering many bruises and scratches as well.DNA evidence was collected from her and 21 other people,but so far no one has been charged with the horrific crime.Most of those detained in the investigation have been released.
Ms.Sierra had been on a photography junket in the storied Turkish city once known as Constantinople,the capital of the Byzantine Empire,making side trips to Amsterdam and Munich as well.The aspiring photographer was a resident of Staten Island,New York,which was recently devastated by Hurricane Sandy.She was the mother of two young boys and had planned to travel with a friend,but went alone when the woman bowed out.
The autopsy showed no signs of sexual assault and she was still in her jewelry,underwear and shirt.The mystery and the tragedy go on.

Alone in Istanbul:American Mother Still Missing

An American mother of two,Sarai Sierra,33,has been missing in Istanbul,Turkey for more than 10 days now.The Staten Island,New York aspiring photographer was to fly home on January 21,but never made it.
Ms.Sierra had originally planned to make the expedition with a friend.When the friend bowed out,she resolved to go on alone.She meticulously researched how to safely visit Istanbul by herself:where to go and at what time of day.Photos and video show that she dressed in a nondescript way,wearing drab clothing and a hat.
Ms.Sierra also visited Amsterdam,Netherlands and Munich,Germany,then returned to Istanbul,where she stayed in a hostel.She had reportedly planned to meet a man named Taylan,an Internet friend,on a bridge she wanted to photograph.Police are looking for this individual as well.
The Turkish police have formed  a special task force to work the case.They are reviewing thousands of hours of surveillance video from downtown Istanbul for clues as to Ms.Sierra's whereabouts.They also seek her cell phone records.
A group of Turkish citizens have joined the search.The Association For Families With Lost Relatives is distributing fliers with Ms.Sierra's photos along with fliers for their own relatives.Ms.Sierra's husband and brother have flown to Istanbul to help police.Her children are ages 9 and 11.
Turkey is a NATO ally of the US and aspires to join the European Union.