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Sierra family via EPA file
A undated family handout photograph shows US tourist Sarai Sierra. Reports state that Sarai Sierra who was on holiday alone in Istanbul was killed by at least one fatal blow to her head.
ANKARA — Turkish police have arrested the suspected killer of a tourist from New York whose whose body was found in Istanbul earlier this year, a provincial governor's office said.
The suspect, identified by the initials Z.T. and nicknamed Laz Ziya by Turkish media, was arrested in Reyhanli in Turkey's southern Hatay province near the border with Syria, the provincial governor's office said on its website.
The body of 33-year-old Sarai Sierra, a married mother of two from Staten Island, was found in the ruins of Istanbul's old city wall last month after she was first reported missing in late January.
Sierra, who had been traveling alone, was killed by a blow to the head.
After questioning Sunday, the man was handed over to judicial authorities, the governor's office said. It gave no further details.
Sierra's killing has attracted wide media attention the U.S. and in Turkey, a country which receives millions of tourists each year and is generally seen as a safe destination for foreign travelers.
Copyright 2013 Thomson Reuters. Click for restrictions.
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Kill him with a blow to the head
2 wrongs don't make a right. So give him 2 rights to the head. As the great Chuck Norris would say I'll hit him with so many rights he will beg for a left.
It sure looks like a spy killing.
They arrest any one to say they find the guy who did it.
And what if the guy that was arrested isn't the guilty party? No trial, nothing?
LiberalsRCommies, keep your retarded ass comments to yourself.
I guess there's a possibility that turkey will have a few less visitors going....
If Z.T. is The Doer, Give him his "RIGHTS" So the geek Will BEG for Lefts.
LiberalRCommies you may be right.
But either way the Turkey government and their stone age people will do nothing to their own. I for one would not visit Turkey on a free 100% paid pass.
I pass.
tigerlover-4113331
LiberalRCommies you may be right.
But either way the Turkey government and their stone age people will do nothing to their own. I for one would not visit Turkey on a free 100% paid pass.
I pass.
keep your ignorance to yourself, racism in your blood or what? u dont have any single idea in a country where u have never visited or got an idea. i think u should continue thinking turkish people riding camels, ignorance all over u.
ozzyoz - F you.
I travel to Europe twice a year and have ski miles to go anywhere in the world.
Your the RACIST pal and ignorant in commenting on something you know nothing about.
Amen tigerlover-4113331!
I've been to Turkey… once… and will NEVER go back… that's how bad an experience I had there. I've travelled tons too and that has got to be the worst place I've ever visited (by far). They are a backwards people who do not value or respect women in the least.
cut off his head
If found guilty, execution! Let the tourist beware. Stay away from the locals if you are traveling alone.
There is no death penalty in Turkey and EU.
they are in a clueless state,so they grab anyone who walks down the street in their country,they,the crooks that run the government over in that @!$%#ho#e of a country don't want to lose foreign aid,i still don't get the young woman by her-self in a bad place in the world,stay at home screw the rest of the world,at least our sewage flows good for now.
Listen, obviously you don't know what you are talking about as you generalize this incident like it is a common occurrence; and I highly doubt you have ever been to outside the US. This crime happened in a very bad part of the town that no local even would dare to be around. I am not condoning it; in contrary, I am very sorry for an innocent life is taken away from us brutally. But the reality is, it is not very safe here in the US either. What happened to two British tourist in Sarasota, FL?! Go inform yourself before you speak nonsense like it is a heaven here. We sure have low life scums in our back yard too; so the abroad is no exception.
new whatever,i've been all over the world long before you were ever conceived,those two brits were robbed by crack or heroin scum,so obviously you came here to get away from non-flushing toilets,now head back into the basement and work on your class assignments for high school.
Dear Mike, well, I am not gonna retaliate by throwing insults like you and get to your level which interestingly appears to be stuck in toilet. I am sorry about your life experience; but you come across very angry and hateful person. I am grateful for the path that allowed me to learn whole new culture here in the US and glad to know your kind is in minority. BTW, your arrogance badly clouds your judgement. Have a nice day -
Excellent. Newcitizen
Mike, go to the VA and get some help. It's one of the benefits of having served during war. I see my shrink tomorrow.
I guess Mike lost a leg or some thing in the Vietnam war to hate everything Non-US that much...
THE Problem: 7,000,000,000++ And Counting; and the lowlifes here and in those 3rd world SH IT Hole Countries continue to eat, sqat, SH IT and PLOP!!! another life tethered on to poor MomEarth...It is quanitiy and more so than Quality of Hunam Genome production.....Nonetheless, the Lovely and Attractive lady should not have gone into a dangerous section....
You think this does not happen in the U.S.A.?
18 states do not have death penalty but they do believe the easter bunny is alive hopping down the bunny trail,i do miss your point weedhouse,so what is it,remember we have dna to clear the innocent ones,one at a time.
You know Mike, not all who oppose the death penalty are stupid, nor are we liberal. Simply, I do not believe the state has the right to take from you, that which it cannot give back to you, or compensate you for.
Hey, Just Me, do you think the killer has that right to kill innocent people, whose lifes he cannot give back either...Hope the death penalty for such scum bags returns to ALL states pretty soon!!!
We can die anywhere through murder, accident, illness, or natural causes, but the cost of life, sadness of families, and possible international crises needs to be examined with appropriate travel limitations.
Where was her husband and parents why did they allow her to travel overseas to a foreign country by herself? It is an accident waiting to happen same correlation that pervert catholic priest sentenced to prison and considered a "PRIZE" target only lasted a few days before being beaten to death by another prisoner...................
Because women are no longer considered to be 'property' in this country?
Physicist-retired, good going PC 1st and common sense 2nd. The point is there is safety in numbers, and if it was a husband that made the trip unaccompanied it would be just another male mugged for what ever was carried. Americans are zeroed in because of the expensive junk we carry, male or female.
Stupid women. Leaves her husband to have an overseas affair, and gets herself killed.
Where does it say that she went to Turkey to have an affair? I think you are like most people from New York City - you think you know everything, when in all actuality you know just enough to type your ignorance for the whole world to see. See how that works? You make a stupid, non-substantiated claim and then I do.
Actually, it came out weeks ago that she met someone online and made arrangements to meet him there. According to this man they met and had sex in a nightclub bathroom (classy). This mas has been cleared by police. That part of the story is old news now.
At NewYorkCity That is not a nice thing to say. She was still a human being. Whether she was having an affair or not, we are not the one judging.
That is not a nice thing to say. Whether she was having an affair or not, she still a human being that lost her life. We are nobody to judge her.
And you know for a fact she had a affair. Gosh I bet you know the meaning of life, know God and speaks for God like your omnipotent and as the universal guardian of all truths and facts that will ever occur. You need to start a church and create a universe of your own. Then you can judge others with out knowing any facts other then gut feelings. Hows this for a thought, I think many people that accuse others of immoral actions generally are guilty of the actions they accuse others and think every one else do the same as themselves. Make your words sweet, for you might have to eat them tomorrow. The guy that said he had the affair, might be guilty of rape when hired as a guide, and gave his DNA as a preemptive defense and said it was consensual. Every one always is quick to accuse, but slow to do research.
now that is a great assumption on your part.
anyone (not just women) that is traveling alone and puts themselves into a dangerous place or position is really to blame for there own demise , Granted she should not have been killed by a criminal , but WHY was she there ? I would not walk in some of the neighborhoods in detroit during the daylight , it would be suicide for me to put myself in the most crime ridden bario in any major city at night , so why would any sane person do that ? ...just sayin'
If you go to LA, there are parts you don't want to go into. Probably Istanbul is the same. She did not know. Should have a trusted guide when travelling.
watchin' ya all, you are clearly watching (like spies) but not thinking (like stupid spies)! So what are you saying, "That because a woman or a young man is drunk she or he deserves to get raped?"
Then you think, "Because a woman drinks she deserves to be raped? Because she is wearing sexy clothes she deserve to get raped? Because she is friendly or flirtatious she deserves to get raped? Because she is alone she deserves to get raped? Because she is alone at night she deserves to get raped? Because she is young, drunk, alone, at night and at a party she deserves to get raped?"
Would it help, in your country of freedom and rights (that you constantly throw out to the world as a great strength), to have women at home 24/7, in veils, going out only at day time, with male escorts and with an entourage...so men like you, who only watch, do not rape?
Kindly come out and say you want Shraia laws, old Jewish laws, old Christian laws or Manu laws so women can lead closed careful controlled lives, with strict rules and regulations created and sustained by men, so they would not be raped?
Can you not change public attitude and behaviors towards women and their safety? Can you not improve men's believes and behaviors towards women...so they are more respectful, sensitive and thoughtful? Can you not punish the criminals, thugs and men who commit acts of violence? Can you not make public spaces safe for men?
The contradictions that come out of men like you are truly shocking and exhausting. You show outrage and start ranting about how awful India is because one gang rape incident is reported from there, but you are blaming a 16 year old for her rape right here in the US! Do you see your contradictions...or are you too neurologically deficient to do that?
I hope you never become a member of a police force, a jury or be a lawyer, a judge or a politician. Unfortunately many men like you are in position of power...hence the problems!
I am glad they caught the murderer. I hope the family is coping from this terrible loss. Wish them strength!
I noticed a punitive-law mentality that has penetrated some of our brothers' and sisters' minds here! They want to hack the suspect on his head like he hacked and wacked a woman: as a "tit for tat" prosecution and punishment. Imagine these guys in control of the law enforcement system? Judge, jury and the prosecutor...all wrapped into one! Dread the Dredd!
I guess for some "Turkey is another place to avoid"? As somebody noted, "If we keep avoiding places then the only place to live safely, in theory that is, may be your bathroom in your apartment somewhere in the middle of Des Moines with grill widows and high security alarm. Enjoy the fear and paranoia that you have brought on yourself after Sept 11. What some Jewish colleagues call 'Israelization of the US'...driven by paranoia and provincialism".
And the recent headline news about the prosecution of two football players for raping a 16 year old and videoing it will probably go global, and many people are going to be making judgment about the US, women and rape...the way some of you bloggers have been making horrible comments about Mexico, India, China, Pakistan or Iran.
So stop the hasty judgments and silly stereotyping please!
Thanks, Dr. MS--an occasional voice of objective reason is a breath of fresh air. Acquaintances of mine not long ago visited Turkey and were extremely impressed with the kindness, hospitality and modern mentality of the Turkish people. They walked around separately, and together, shopping, sighseeing and visiting restaurants that were recommended, and some that were not. One of the gals loved to walk around, alone, because she was a "stop & look" type who didn't want to delay others. She never felt threatened or felt any apprehension in doing so. She said she once stopped in a restaurant for tea and dessert, and seeing she was non-Turkish, two gals came to the table, speaking very good English, and introduced themselves. They sat and talked for two hours and they each exchanged addresses and phone numbers to stay in further contact. The gals were very modern Muslim and my friend was a priest, so that was quite an experience for all three. The others in the group were equally pleased with the hospitality and vowed to visit Turkey again. In fact, both of the ladies and my friend have already been in contact several times.
I second that experience, Tess.
In 2010, I spent 3 weeks exploring the entire western half of Turkey (driving nearly 2,000 miles in the process). I found it to be friendly and fascinating. It is, after all, the Crossroads of Civilization - the bridge between Asia and Europe.
I walked in Paul's footsteps in Ephesus, sailed on the Bosporus, visited the caves in Cappadocia, and walked through the cisterns of Istanbul (build by the Romans using old Greek pillars for support).
Amazing, amazing, amazing.
A (new) friend invited us into his home, where his wife made an incredible meal for us. When we returned the next day with a small gift of thanks, he insisted on giving us an artifact from one of his recent archaeological digs. We're still in touch.
I'll be returning to Istanbul in October, and am very much looking forward to sharing it with 2 travelling companions who haven't seen it yet.
The comments on these travel threads are mind-boggling. So many people from the Home of the Brave - afraid to step out of their own country (?).
The world has 140+ countries, each with it's own history, culture, people, food, sights, smells, and natural wonders. Why would anyone want to savor only one of them?
Two Thumbs Up Dr. Ms.
Thats 4 thumbs up for P. R. My aunt and uncle worked in Turkey in the military and civil service 30 years ago and they have been back several times and also stayed for a year. You would be surprised at the amount of europeans and americans that are retired and living in Turkey. My aunt and uncle are going back this year to visit turkish friends. Turkey is more modern then some european countries.
Thank you for asking; what was she doing traveling in an area locals avoid without being accompanied for her purpose of being there with a camera, why did she wondered away from her friends without letting them know where she was going? Where did they take her body first after she was found and why? Does anyone know? I do!!!
Afet, please enlighten us.
I believe in the first story I read she had planned on traveling with a friend. At the last minute the friend decided not to go - her husband and extended family wanted her to continue on her trip to take photos and explore the area. I don't think anyone ever expected this to happen - tragically things like this happen whether we are here at home or away. I am sure most people would agree it is always safer to travel with a companion or group - looking back it is easy to see or say what went wrong. I feel bad for her children, husband, family and friends who must miss her terribly.
I dunno...tourism is a large part of Turkey's economic base: it behooves the authorities there to quickly produce a suspect and have it seen that "it's okay...it's safe now...we caught him". I'm wondering...how do they know this is "the guy"? DNA evidence? Do they do that there? No offense meant here, just wondering.
Not sure how safe Turkey is for a woman to travel in but it's gotta beat the hell out of India!
horrible that in order to justify or not justify her death we think she has to have a reason for where she was at and what she was doing and who she was doing it with. Does it matter? A life has been stolen horribly and her family will have an empty spot in their hearts forever.
I wouldn't travel alone here in the States, much less in a foreign country. While she may have been adventurous, her children are now growing up without a mother.
Yes, Turkish police have a reputation for solving crimes by getting suspects to "confess" rather than by the gritty, tedious and often expensive work of assembling evidence in the lab and on the street. The FBI was in on the investigation this time, welcomed under threat, no doubt, of the US State Department issuing an advisory to Americans not to travel to Turkey.
This case is troubling all the same, the woman seeming to have little regard for her own safety despite having a husband and children back in the USA.
nungman, Just exactly WHY can't a woman go someplace alone? Ever hear of equal rights? Turkey is not a hell hole. Friends were there not long ago. It has very modern cities, a tolerant society and respects women. I would feel safer there, than perhaps Moscow, walking around alone. The cities also have slums, less tolerant sections, etc., just as any other place on earth. I would just make darned sure that I learned and obeyed THEIR laws while there. Our constitution stops at our border. We can't take it with us. The lady who was killed was in the wrong place at the wrong time, that's all.
Tess, if you're looking forward to a day when men are unnecessary and women completely safe well...you may have a long wait.
Tess, I've been to Turkey (incl. Istanbul) and Moscow… Part of a tour group in both cases. I felt 100% safe in Moscow, no doubt. However in Turkey, I felt the opposite. The Turkish men is what ruined my experience in Turkey. They have zero respect for women (esp single women) and place zero value on women in general. They think of women as the property and subservient to men. Tolerant society my @ss. I am a generally respectful person, I don't make a habit of swearing or raising my voice… but in Turkey I often felt compelled to defend myself, verbally and sometimes physically. Being cornered (while with my tour group) outside the Blue Mosque, but a group of Turkish men, yelling at me to "speak Turkish!" and how I looked Turkish, and whatever other BS they were yelling at me… I was outnumbered and scared… FINALLY grew a backbone and YELLED back "Shut the F-up you a$$holes!! I'm Greek!!! Leave me alone!!!"… they all backed the hell off and left me alone. Another time, again, walking with a group in the middle of Istanbul, NOT a "bad" neighborhood… I had to get physical to defend myself and the group I was with… we went RUNNING back to our hotel… not even the local police helped.
There is no such thing as a Safe Country for Americans as long as we have a weak Leader in the Oval Office.
Westerners, and particularly Americans, must be very careful about which countries are safe for visitation.
"Let's Kill the Infidel" Festivals are being held in various Islamic countries. Perhaps Customs & Immigration officials are tipping off homicidal elements in these places.
Of course, the Western media is not willing to conduct investigative journalism to give us the thorough story. They might be killed.
A married woman with kids back home traveling alone in a Muslin country, what was she looking for?
Say whatever but bottom line is she shouldn't have been where she was, period. Especially since she had young children she should have been responsible for. The most kind thing I can say is 'foolish'! As in foolish is as foolish does.
It does not mitigate the guilt of the killer to say there was a certain contributory negligence in the decision of this tourist to travel alone; an imprudent denial of all travel advisories provided by the US Embassy and Turkish authorities... and clearly a rejection of common sense. Those who value their life will take due diligence to guard their personal safety from the consequences of stupid decisions about having fun sight seeing in foreign countries.
An ordinary woman, a 'mother with two lovely children back at home' traveling alone in Turkey? You believe that, I've got a bridge that I'd like to sell to you. Whom does she work for again?
I would rather travel in Turkey then alot of cities in europe or the America's except for Costa Rica
Mike, Turkey is a member of the G-20 and it is the 16 th. largest economy in the world. It does not take foreign any more. Last year It contributed several billion dollars aid to underdeveloped countries.
Thank you mk-1361302