How sad is this picture? A young woman and mother who went to Turkey to find adventure, found the tragic end to her journey. The tourist died in Turkey the victim of a murderous act. Now the shattered family of Sarai Serra, can welcome the Staten Island woman once again, not in the way they had hoped.
"The body of Sarai Sierra, 33, the Silver Lake mother and amateur photographer murdered while vacationing alone in Istanbul, Turkey, is finally coming home," added The Staten Island Adance.
"Her family is scheduled to meet with funeral directors at Matthew Funeral Home in Willowbrook, Staten Island on Thursday," addd the report. "The husband is expected to make final arrangements for the funeral Thursday morning," confirmed John Scamardella, owner of Matthew Funeral Home to The Advance, which is donating funeral services to her family.
"To raise money to transport the body home, Ms. Sierra's family put some of her photographs up for sale through Instagram, the vehicle she used to sell her photography," added the report.
"Sarai's passion for photography and love for capturing the beauty we see in culture, architecture and scenery was her reason for traveling to Istanbul," wrote her brother, David Jimenez, on the website set up to sell Ms. Sierra's photos. Included on the site are shots of the Brooklyn and Manhattan bridges, Brooklyn sunrises and sunsets in Istanbul.
While he initially said on the website that proceeds from the sale of Ms. Sierra's photos would be used for funeral-related services, Jimenez wrote the following on Tuesday afternoon, "Hey Instacanvas, Thank you for all the support in purchasing Sarai's pictures. Quick update, all expenses for Sarai's funeral have been paid for! From here on out any picture of hers that you purchase will NOT be going towards her funeral. All funds will be going to her children. Thank you for your support. David."
Jimenez traveled to Istanbul with Ms. Sierra's husband, Steven, on Janury 28. She was reported missing on January 21. Her body was found last Saturday near ancient walls in Istanbul's Sarayburnu neighborhood. Police said she suffered a single, fatal blow to the head, added The Advance.
Disturbing questions surrounding her death
Sources told the New York Post that Ms. Sierra met with a criminal element on her solo trip to Istanbul, which began on January 7. In addition, a Turkish man known as "Taylan," who met Ms. Sierra on January 13 by the Galata Tower, told police there that he had sexual intercourse with her, according to Turkish media reports. He gave DNA and sperm samples to the police, the reports said in The Advance.
"The FBI is aiding Turkish authorities in the investigation. Police have questioned 21 possible suspects, and have collected blood and DNA samples from them as well. Investigators are also reviewing Ms. Sierra's e-mail account," added The Advance.
Several calls made by the Advance on Thursday to her family members about the new allegations went unanswered, added the report.
Ms. Sierra went to Istanbul to explore her photography hobby, and made a side trips to Amsterdam and to Munich, Germany. "Ms. Sierra's earrings, rings and watch were not disturbed when police found her body last Saturday, according to Turkish media reports. But her iPhone and iPad -- the tools she used to share her photos with the world -- were apparently stolen," added The Advance.
"Fox News has reported that samples taken from under Ms. Sierra's fingernails suggest she may have tried to fight off her attacker," added The Advance. "Family members held a very emotional press conference on Monday, saying that the Sierra children, who are 9 and 11, still don't know about the death of their mom.," according to the report.
Ms. Sierra's mother said that the family plans to tell the children upon their father's return from Turkey. In addition to the donation of funeral services by Matthew Funeral Home, Fairview Cemetery in Castleton Corners has offered a plot free of charge as a possible resting place for Ms. Sierra.
All in all, a sad and unexpected end for a buding photographer and young mom and college student. Her homecoming to Staten Island will not be joyous. However it should give her family a bit of peace and closure in this tragic tale.
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