Turkish authorities have invited the FBI to join in their investigation into the murder of Sarai Sierra, the 33-year-old NYC mother of two who has been missing since Jan. 21, and who was discovered dead in Istanbul on Saturday.
The FBI is playing a significant role in the investigation into the death of a New York City woman in Istanbul while on a solo vacation, a U.S. congressman said Monday. ~ U.S. News
Today, Turkish prosecutors were approved a court order to obtain DNA and blood samples from 21 people in Istanbul being questioned in connection with Sarai’s death.
Turkish media reported this weekend that Sarai Sierra’s body was found near the remnants of the ancient walls in Istanbul. She had been stabbed multiple times, although an autopsy revealed she died from a “fatal blow the head.”
The police in Istanbul believe she was murdered elsewhere, and her body dropped off at the site where it was eventually discovered.
Turkish police are scouring hours of video surveillance footage trying to determine Sierra's movements during the final days of her trip to Istanbul where she was indulging herself in her passion for photography.
A special unit of Turkish police set up to find Sierra have an image of her at Galata Bridge, which spans Istanbul's Golden Horn waterway and where she went on her last day to take photos.
Her family is struggling with the expenses involved in bringing Sarai’s remains back to the states and is working with friends and their church to help raise the funds.
Rep. Michael Grimm, a former FBI agent said that "our No. 1 priority right now is bringing Sarai home."
Also see:
Sarai Sierra missing since Jan. 21 found dead in Istanbul (updated)
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