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AP
Turkish men pin up a photo of Sarai Sierra, a New York City woman who disappeared while on vacation in Istanbul.
The cellphone of a New York City mom missing in Istanbul has been used twice since she vanished, a Turkish newspaper reported Friday.
Sarai Sierra, 33, hasn’t been seen heard from since Jan. 21, the day before she was supposed to catch a flight home from a two-week vacation.
But police believe the amateur photographer is alive because her phone was used for a Skype call on Wednesday and turned on again Thursday, the Sabah newspaper reported, according to the Turkish daily Hurriyet.
Cops briefly detained a man who exchanged online messages with Sierra after meeting her online four months ago, contacted her while she was in Istanbul and made plans to rendezvous with her on a bridge she wanted to photograph, Hurriyet said.
The man reportedly told police the two never connected, and investigators are now hoping to question three other people she corresponded with on Facebook and Twitter.
Sierra left for her first trip abroad on Jan. 7 — flying solo after a close friend dropped out of the prepaid trip, her family has said.
Her husband, Steven Sierra, said his wife stayed in close contact, talking to him and their children, ages 9 and 11, by phone and Skype.
The last communication from her came Jan. 21, when she sent her sister a brief message saying she would be home the next day.
When she didn't show up at the airport, her husband called her hostel, which said her passport and other personal items were still there.
Police uncovered surveillance-camera footage of Sierra walking around Istanbul during her visit; she appeared to be alone and well.
Steven Sierra and Sarai's brother, David Jimenez, flew to Turkey earlier this week and turned over her online communications to police.
"I don't want to come home without my sister," Jimenez told NBC New York before the trip.
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Here are my movie-based theories to explain Sarai's disappearance:
#1] Taken Theory - This seems popular with people who just viewed Liam Neeson single handedly rescue his daughter from human traffickers. Taken 2 was filmed in Istanbul close to the hostel that Sarai rented for 2 weeks. The problem is that the only human trafficking in Turkey is actually smuggling people from third world countries into Greece and the European Union. Sarai may be beautiful but no sex trafficker is going to waste his time on a 33 year old American woman with two kids. There are plenty of stupid 16 year olds. So this theory is highly improbable.
#2] Sleeping With The Enemy Theory - Perhaps Sarai planned this trip to travel alone to Istanbul in the middle of winter to escape from an abusive relationship. Many women want to divorce their husbands but are afraid that he will respond violently. This is a very common cause of murder of women in the US and Turkey. In this situation, Sarai has to have help to stay hidden in Istanbul until her husband gives up. Perhaps the trip to Amsterdam and Munich were a rendezvous to get help from some Turks living there. I like this theory because it means that she is still alive and looking for happiness. Still, it requires Sarai to give up her kids.
#3] Midnight Express Theory - The amateur photographer takes a gig as an amateur drug mule. The idea is that the Sierra's signed up Sarai to carry a package of drugs from Istanbul to Amsterdam. She made the delivery and returned to Istanbul to get paid. She even moved her return flight up three days, but something went wrong. Instead of getting money, she got a bullet. I really pray that this theory is wrong but have to admit that it fits all of the facts well.
How about the possibility that a rogue man, acting independently, abducted her, raped her (and who knows what else), and then just left her wherever and continued on with his life, like rapists/murderers do in the U.S.? Just because it was Turkey doesn't mean it had to have been sex trafficking. She may have been cased by a man (bellboy? cook? neighborhood bum? traveling businessman from the U.S., even?) near the hotel, and then when opportunity arose, he acted.
Don't give up the day job just yet . . .
Update Jan 31st:
Three days after renting a room in a hostel in Istanbul, Sarai leaves Istanbul and goes to Amsterdam for one night and Munich for three nights for "photo exhibits". This is the reason provided by her husband. She returns to Istanbul for two nights and moves her flight so that she will return home three days earlier than originally planned.
The amateur photographer spends a total of 7 nights in Istanbul, 1 night in Amsterdam, 3 nights in Munich and 2 more nights back in Istanbul before disappearing on the day of her planned return to Newark.
On the day of her return, Jan 21st at 11:00 AM, Sarai messages a Turk named Taylan, "I am almost across from the Galata Tower. Will you come?" After waiting at a cafe until 11:33 AM, she messages him again, "I'm leaving, if you want to reach me, call me". At 12:45 PM, she receives a message from Taylan, "I'll come over there. I'm assuming that you have wireless."
The latest video of Sarai is at 12:01 PM on the 21st as she's walking from the Galata Tower.
Unsubstantiated rumors being reported in the Turkish press:
#1] Sarai's total expenses exceeded $10,000.
#2] A 30ish man is seen following her in the videos.
Update Feb 1st:
Taylan (T.K.) has been arrested and now released.
He says that he met Sarai on Instagram 4 months ago. He met her twice in person, but was unable to meet with her on the 21st on the Galata Bridge.
He says that he received Sarai's messages to meet an hour late and when he went to look for her on the Galata Bridge, she was gone.
The police has a video of Sarai alone on the Galata Bridge at 12:10 pm.
Because of the certain details that T.K. provided, the police no longer suspect that he is involved in her disappearance.
A TV station reported that Sarai's phone was turned on and a Skype app on it was launched two days ago. Yesterday, it was turned on briefly and then turned off. This leads the police to believe that she is alive.
I wonder what kind of details the police have that have removed "T.K." from the suspect list? Something doesn't feel right with this guy... Wouldn't he have to make it look like they never met if he did in fact either met her or followed her afterwards? He knew he'd be questioned afterwards about it so he had to make it look like he just missed her. Look closer at the security video, I think he may be somewhere in the backround, either at the cafe or a nearby business... Just a hunch, nothing else
No news here, Amsterdam, Munich, just more NBCNBCNBCNBC...
Why does a US mom travel to Turkey? Once those babies come, you are supposed to settle down and live life a little less dangerously.
Some people are just naive and very self-centered.
It is truly sad how sick and twisted some American minds, or bloggers' minds, have become. We have come to a point where we blame a woman for traveling alone, trusting people and having fun? A woman should be able to go anywhere at anytime with anything she wants to wear or is comfortable with. Nobody should be harassed, intimidated or assaulted for that. America is dominated by fear and Americans walk on planet earth with chronic distrust, prejudice and hate. That attracts those kinds of people and keeps the cycle of violence and hate going. It is true some societies do have to change radically when it comes to women's rights, safety and freedom...but blaming women for these kinds of horrible missing and/or possible murder is a step backward.
Stop blaming a woman for being brave enough, courageous enough and spunky enough to on her own. How sad we live in such a world, and persist in blaming the victim.
Traveling abroad, staying in a hotel my oneself, walking around, meeting new people, visiting new places, having a drink with nice warm friendly strangers, dancing with handsome flirtatious men and making new friends and trusting people is not a crime! The crime is a sick society that thinks these are stuff to exploit, abuse, kidnap and murder.
A white upper class clean cut person flashing 100 dollar bills SHOULD be able to walk down a street full of crack houses and gang bangers without getting mugged, it doesn't mean that person should be STUPID enough to try it.
Good gawd Dr. MS, you are certainly extremely naive about how the real world operates. Wise up.l
I do agree, she did have a friend in the 1str place that was supposed to go with her but that friend dropped out at the last second from the trip she already paid for. So this lady had a choice, either drop out with her "friend" and loose all the money she already paid or go on by herself and try and make the most out of it. I'd of done the same thing, and if it were my wife I'd have let her go alone... I think at least. It's hard to say for sure now, because now, after the fact and knowing what probably happened to this women I don't think I'd let my wife go alone. Had this not happened, I think I'd have been fine though. After all with technology these days she could still have seen her kids and husband everyday, whenever they wanted just by getting on the comp...
Sorry but this story smells like a week old fish. Something just isn't right about a woman leavng her husband and kids behind to travel to turkey just to photograph an old bridge. Nope, doesn't wash. A lot more to this story.
Sounds to me like she had arranged to get some "Turkey Stuffing" while she was in Istanbul.
@ ludivnedeflot Unbelieveable! Your compassion is nonexistant. So if you go to Mexico can we say you were only there looking for *@)s?
Tarzan sorry you are no better. All people do all things it is not our place to judge. I myself desire to travel to a somewhat dangerous place because I WANT TO!! It is my choice and I do not need or desire having some one like you and ludivinedeflot commenting on MY CHOICE if something happened. When neither of you know anything about me. Thank you.
@ID Free Thinker, I hope you get your wish to travel to someplace dangerous and that something bad happens to you as soon as possible. When they report it on the news, I will bad mouth you as much as possible.
Stupid is as stupid does. Should have watched the movie "Taken" before taking this trip alone.
Maybe she likes extra large sodas?
Another sex-hungry american girl going overseas for "action", then playing "Mother Theresa" upon return, getting caught.
I'm beginning to get sick. Interesting that you all seem to know what kind of person she is. Glad I don't l don't know any of you!
Just take an aspirin and call me tomorrow. A "Nun" she is NOT. More like a surfer-for-strange-sex with hubby's OK.
Why is everyone saying she was out looking for men? and cheating on her husband? I'm being serious here? Did I miss something? Was she really cheating and meeting up with different men there for the purpose of having sex? Has this info come out? This is a serious question.
I was there, alone, a long time ago and would not go back. I was propositioned at every turn and felt uncomfortable at the best of times. Western women are seen as easy, ready to have sex with anyone and women will move around the city in groups, or pairs, at the least. I think drugs may have been involved here, or else she has shown the worse kind of preparation for her first overseas trip I've ever seen. I do not think she's still alive.
You loved it, just admit. :)) All women love the attention they do not get home. Even a homely american broad will be approached. Trust me I've seen it number of times.
Agree Polygamy. Any woman that travels alone to Turkey (and I could name many more places...) is just nuts and naive.
FrankS. I'm sure she loved it as much as you, the homely american man, love being propositioned by gay men as you walk by clubs at night...Makes you uncomfortable? Why should it? Someone's giving you attention right?
You have this thing about "american girls and sex" that keeps popping up..you sir, are creepy.
I agree taken3. I'd hate to run into this guy if I were a woman walking down a dark alley. After all, they like his "attention" he gives them. BTW, your "attention" Frank, is called here in America 3rd Degree Sexual Assualt...
how do you know?
She may be in a dirty little hotel shacked up with MoJoe and just waiting for more publicity. Pictures all over the internet. How far can a book be? Or a TV appearance with what's her face along with Lance :)))
yes, say that to Stacy Peterson...who's husband said she ran away and doesn't want to be found...
I think the comments are for the most part appalling, sexist and assumptive - not one of you knows this woman - yet you think you know. The thing is you have revealed yourself and I know what kind of people you are.
Who cares shes a dumb a$$. If she was a 250lb Wisconsin cheesehead beer drinking woman not a single person would care. An attractive white middleclass mother or daughter goes missing, holy s#$% stop the presses, we need a world wide man hunt. Men loose 4th adment rights to get answers. People go missing every hour of every day what makes her an internet sensation.
I take it your heifer of wife has went missing on you but nobody cared because she was found the next week performing at the "donkey show" in Tijuana...
A little too brave and very foolish , all her stuff and passport still in her room , mankind has been dissappearing in this area for 5000 years , it doesn't look good for her
Millions of kids go hungry at night and die while we worry about a broad who leaves her family to travel to a foreign copuntry to have strange sexual experiences, with her husband's knowledge. Give me a break, let me sleep on this before I pitty her. Priority my fellow Americans, priority.
My take on this is that she went to Turkey for a turkey-neck.
Seriously dude, you have issues. Deep rooted sexual issues. You posted twice in three minutes about sex. You don't care about a stranger who has children who are weeping for her at this minute..you only care about this made up "strange" sexual encounter?? That's f'ed up.
What woman would travel alone to Turkey! Who takes a vacation alone to Turkey leaving a husband and children behind! I hope she makes it back safely, but if she doesnt, thats her own damn fault!
How do you figure? I bet your one of those guys that blame the rape victims because they dressed to "sexy" ain't ya? I suppose the only time a woman can travel alone now-a-days is if they are traveling with a bad-a$$ street fighter like you, right?
did her husband have a good insurance policy on her ? was HE in contact with anyone in turkey ? injured minds want to know
So IF she did meet foul play and the evil doers are so stupid as to use her phone.....Gee....Thanks for reporting this tidbit to the WORLD so they will wise up and toss the phone in the river ending whatever trace cops could have had on a lead.
REALLY?
You have to remember that the Turkish authorities really DO NOT want her found if she's met with foul play. They are worried about what this might do to their tourism. That's 1st and foremost on their agenda, make it look as if NOTHING bad could EVER happen in TURKEY!... They are trying to make it look like she just up and left on her own free will because Turkey is SUCH a GREAT country, so good in fact, women RUN AWAY from their families just to stay there! They wont catch the guy responsible, as long as there is no body, no foul play has been commited....
Liam Neeson will find her. And kill anyone he has to in order to do so.
In all seriousness, I hope she is found safe and brought home to her babies. Women don't go to Turkey to have affairs people, they go to Naples Florida or Grand Rapids Michigan...
The New Normal
You are seeing it over and over again. The new normal, school shooting, children killing parents, people just snapping. Parents abusing and killing their children. But everyone just tosses up their hands in un-belief and some say O My God, or how could God let this happen. Well, I’m not sure why your bringing God into it, America has been trying to kick God out for years. You have kicked God out of our schools, government building, ect. And now that God has left and let hell run its course you blame it on God?
Hell has done its job well. Hell has flooded our media with evil and when I say evil I’m talking about evil on steroids. Hell has made it fun to enjoy for the whole family. Hell has flooded the TV, our movies, our video game, you name it and it’s there. We have also became a country of pill poppers, they have made a pill for everything to give to our youngest to our oldest because it’s easy. Just take a look at the side effects and some say right there in black and white may cause depression, hallucinations, suicidal tendencies, oh and let’s not forget this one and sometimes death. What happened doctors, don’t you remember what you promised? You oath, do no harm, sounds a bit like doing harm to me.
You know when I was a boy we didn’t have all this violence. But we didn’t have Hell crammed in 24/7. You can tune into hell full HD just by the push of a button, but when I say you I mean your kids. Your kids submerge themselves into their killing spree HD on the big screen and pop the ADD or whatever kind of pill. And you have the gall to wonder why we have all the killing? That’s all our kids know, they are flooded with it you fools, but this is what you get by saying if you don’t want to watch it you can turn it off. You were stupid the first time you said it and you stupid now because you will not put a stop to it. You are going to continue to allow the so called media makers to keep flooding our TV, movies, games with the most vile thing the mind can come up with and say it’s ok and not obscene because it’s not showing nudity.
You know, in war times they brain wash someone by drugging them and flood there mind with whatever they want in the enemies brain to make them do or kill anyone that person can get close too. You’re allowing them to do that to your kids and you’re paying them to do it.
Did you know a 1 minute commercial during the Super Bowl cost 3.5 million dollars and they have the nerve to say a little bit of TV or entertainment never hurt anybody. Did you know they have to sell 3 times as much stuff to just break even to the cost? They are banking 3.5 million dollars on 1 minute of time will influence Americans enough to buy 10.5 million dollars worth of stuff from that 1 minute ad on TV. Do you still believe a little bit of TV doesn’t bother you or your kids, a little bit of violence, a little bit of sex, a little bit of people doing drugs, a little bit of rape, a little bit of murder.
If you don’t get a clue and figure out what is really causing our issues by what I’m telling you and stop them from allowing this rot into your kids mind, you have just seen a small amount of what is to come. America is rotting from the inside. You can stop the madness. There is only 1 way, but America will never allow it or believe it because they would rather rot and have its entertainment filth. God is real, this was once a nation under God but now it is not, it’s a nation of our kids thinking we came from monkeys which is being taught to them in our schools.
There are only 2 directions for our country to go, the way it is now and will become worse then you have ever seen or the way it used to be which is old fashion and behind the times. The new normal with your faith in man leading you to your doom as you see it happening before your very eyes or faith in God leading to salvation as our four fathers setup at our countries birth, remember, 1 nation under God.
You know, when I was a kid we didn’t have this kind of problem, and I know why.
Actually, one nation under god wasn't added to the pledge of allegiance until 1954...
It didn't have anything to do with the four fathers. It had to do with Joe McCarthy.
So when were you born? It sure wasn't in the 1920's because that was th most violent decade ever in America, or you couldn't have been born in the late 30's and 40's because, as we all know, that was the most violent decade on Earth. Was it the the 50's? With all the upprising and over throwing of govts? Or Stalins purges and his murdering of millions people in the early 1950's? 60's and 70's probably the 2 decades that seen more people die than any other, 100 million alone in China under Mao Zedong. 80's? The start of the drug war and the explosion of AIDS? 90's gangs and drugs ruled our streets but we finally started getting it under control, right? After all, EVERY DECADE SINCE THE 70'S VIOLENT CRIME HAS DROPPED IN OUR COUNTRY!! That would mean you had to have been born in the 2000's, right? Violent crime and murders have never been so low, EVER!! The only thing that has changed is the religious right's twisting of the facts and their completely obvious scare tactics, that some of us I guess believe whole heartedly. The only thing your 100% right on is that our media is doing it's damndest to try and scare the sh!t out of us.
Implied; despite what you may have heard, the whole world is actually becoming safer, the only difference is that now, any and every shooting that takes place in America whether it's one person killed or 32, it becomes front page news. What we as Americans HAVE to do is STOP buying into all this BS our media is craming down our throats. They have a hidden agenda behind every BS story the over exagurate. We cannot let them control our lives AND our POLITICIANS.
Despite what our media tells us, there has NEVER been a safer decade to live in than we are in now. Don't believe me, stay away from FOX news and CNN and look for yourself on the violent crime stats...
This is absolutely "worse case scenerio" right now. I'm sure the Turkish "authorities" know she's either dead or in some very serious trouble but are just playing to the worlds media right now saying they think she's alive and well becuase her "phone was used" twice in two days. Did they bother checking who it was she called and "skyped"? I bet it was a person from Turkey, why? Because the person who took her is now using her phone, and if they are smart they will try to make it look like she has been using it.
This incident could easily effect the countries tourism and it's a shame that the officials (at least seem like they) would rather brush this all under the carpet and try and make it look like their country is soo great, that even American tourists would rather run away from home and family than leave their beautiful country.
I have a feeling this idiot who kidnapped her doesn't know how easily her phone can be traced when it's kept on or by making calls from it. So hopefully the FBI is involved and they catch the guy who took her shortly...