GUILTY Turkey - Sarai Sierra, 33, NY woman murdered, Istanbul, 21 Jan 2013 - #1

[KrysJP]

ABC news is directing readers to a site where Sarai's brother is selling her photos to defray funeral costs. I wasn't certain we are allowed to post the link.

HERE IS THE LINK. I for sure will be purchasing

http://instacanv.as/memyself_sarai

 

[Yashim]

Hi Yashim,

Thank you for joining us.

Could you tell us in general about the Instagram group in Istanbul? Is it a large and popular group?

I really don't know much about the Instagram group in Istanbul. Just joined to help with translating the news for you in case Lavy, ThinkHard and other speakers of Turkish weren't available. And to say that you should definitely rule out the possibility that she was attacked because she was American. That doesn't happen in Turkey. If I find any details about Instagram in Istanbul, I'll post them.

In the meantime, I think Turkish press is obtaining these details through informal sources who make sure to include at least one thing false to avoid being identified. I still don't know if her jewelry was on her, or intentionally burried, or got buried when she was moved there. And now I read that there was a small handbag next to her body. So the big bag is missing? I think we don't even know 1/10th of what Istanbul Police knows.

 

[KrysJP]

Here is the link to where SS brother has set up to sell her photos to raise money for the funeral. I for sure will be purchasing a framed photo. PLEASE if anyone is willing this would be of big help to SS family. I have messaged with her sister and she spoke on behalf of her and her family that ANYTHING anyone does for them they are greatly appreciative

http://instacanv.as/memyself_sarai

 

[Yashim]

I know we have been debating this point....but after seeing that video. I 100% do not believe she was a random victim because she wondered there on her own. No way in hell!

That's what I was trying to tell. Maybe she witnessed something she shouldn't have seen. Perhaps nobody currently in the picture have anything to do with it.

 

[tresptip]

I know we have been debating this point....but after seeing that video. I 100% do not believe she was a random victim because she wondered there on her own. No way in hell!

Considering some of the pictures she has taken in the past ,I don't find it all that impossible that she wouldn't want to take pictures there.
Here are some of the pictures she has taken in the past.

http://distilleryimage3.s3.amazonaws.com/0fa5646cd4db11e18ddc22000a1cdc05_6.jpg
http://distilleryimage5.s3.amazonaws.com/67b4c774109f11e29c6822000a1e8b95_6.jpg
http://distilleryimage0.s3.amazonaws.com/66f0a882eb0e11e1a47b22000a1cfdd3_6.jpg

http://www.iphoneogram.com/u/20533443?next=331059912882115350_20533443

 

[belimom]

Again this particular spot along the walls is not a location I an imagine even one tourist randomly wandering too, let alone multiple tourists.

I think she was convinced to walk around along the water, opposite the archways, either just for the view or to photograph the ships (http://www.mareud.com/shipspotter_page.htm). It wouldn't have taken much to say, "Hey, look at those archways over there - they look cool. Let's look at them/look for graffiti/etc."

 

[Yashim]

There is a live discussion on a national Turkish channel about SS's murder. If you speak/understand Turkish, you may wanna check it out:

http://www.haberturk.com/canliyayin

 

[CMac2]

There is a live discussion on a national Turkish channel about SS's murder. If you speak/understand Turkish, you may wanna check it out:

http://www.haberturk.com/canliyayin

Would you be able to give us the gist of what they're saying?

 

[ThinkHard]

HERE IS THE LINK. I for sure will be purchasing

http://instacanv.as/memyself_sarai

Me Too!

 

[looking4answers]

Considering some of the pictures she has taken in the past ,I don't find it all that impossible that she wouldn't want to take pictures there.
Here are some of the pictures she has taken in the past.

http://distilleryimage3.s3.amazonaws.com/0fa5646cd4db11e18ddc22000a1cdc05_6.jpg
http://distilleryimage5.s3.amazonaws.com/67b4c774109f11e29c6822000a1e8b95_6.jpg
http://distilleryimage0.s3.amazonaws.com/66f0a882eb0e11e1a47b22000a1cfdd3_6.jpg

http://www.iphoneogram.com/u/20533443?next=331059912882115350_20533443

I agree, but how would she have known any graffiti was there? I would think someone she knew told her, or someone she had been speaking to just prior to going into or near that area.

 

[tresptip]

I agree, but how would she have known any graffiti was there? I would think someone she knew told her, or someone she had been speaking to just prior to going into or near that area.

Exactly! Somebody she met while taking photos near the area would be my first guess.

 

[ThinkHard]

Just ordered a beautiful framed photo by Sarai!

 

[Yashim]

Would you be able to give us the gist of what they're saying?

This is what the reporter in front of the Gayrettepe Police Station just told:

They have footage of Sarai walking alone from Sirkeci to Cankurtaran, where the ruins are and not coming back. She was probably attacked there. They aren't exacly sure if it happened right on that spot or nearby and then moved to the dehliz (cave).

 

[ThinkHard]

Considering some of the pictures she has taken in the past ,I don't find it all that impossible that she wouldn't want to take pictures there.
Here are some of the pictures she has taken in the past.

http://distilleryimage3.s3.amazonaws.com/0fa5646cd4db11e18ddc22000a1cdc05_6.jpg
http://distilleryimage5.s3.amazonaws.com/67b4c774109f11e29c6822000a1e8b95_6.jpg
http://distilleryimage0.s3.amazonaws.com/66f0a882eb0e11e1a47b22000a1cfdd3_6.jpg

http://www.iphoneogram.com/u/20533443?next=331059912882115350_20533443

I've seen them, and I understand your point. But what I don't think your understanding is the particular place she was found, it is very doubtful she would have gone there on her own. I do not doubt however why someone local would suggest that place to her. I can see how she could stumble upon a similar location by herself, but that specific location is just too far removed for me to believe that's where she would have ended up by wandering.

 

[lavy]

Would you be able to give us the gist of what they're saying?

I am just back, will translate if I can.

They said police was able to follow her until very close to the area with surveillance. Then she disappeared and they couldn't find her moving on or going back and they concluded she must be there. (died there) Thats why they searched the area very carefully. They believe she was killed 50-100 meters away from where she was killed and carried with the blanket.

They talk about about most important thing is to find the dna of the murderer and they believe they could get it from the blanket. Killer definetely hold her clothes, hand etc. they have struggled so they think that they will get killer's dna.

 

[KrysJP]

I agree, but how would she have known any graffiti was there? I would think someone she knew told her, or someone she had been speaking to just prior to going into or near that area.

I believe someone might have told her about that place. Since that is a place that was in her interest to photograph. She went there not thinking that anything would happen to her. A last place to go to take pictures before her journey home. And then stumbled upon trouble!

 

[Yashim]

The moderator said Sarai was Jewish. Was she?

 

[tresptip]

Another reason why I wouldn't rule out another tourist is this.
Who would she be more trusting of ,a stranger from a foriegn country that just happened to be in the area walking around ,or another American thats also touring there and knows the area.
If it were me I would have felt more comfortable with another American that was also sightseeing of which I had more in common with.

 

[ThinkHard]

Exactly! Somebody she met while taking photos near the area would be my first guess.

Again it's just my opinion of course....but I really think your looking in the wrong direction.....there just wouldn't be a bunch of people in the particular spot for this scenario to be likely.

What makes you lean this way?

 

[Yashim]

I believe someone might have told her about that place. Since that is a place that was in her interest to photograph. She went there not thinking that anything would happen to her. A last place to go to take pictures before her journey home. And then stumbled upon trouble!

And those graffiti are quite dorky (if that is the right word) compared to the others.