GUILTY Turkey - Sarai Sierra, 33, NY woman murdered, Istanbul, 21 Jan 2013 - #3

[looking4answers]

If you can find a way to help, Godspeed my friend. That would be amazing, and worth much more than all my quibbling and all our wild theorizing!

Promise to let us know what you find in your research (if possible).

Good luck, and if you contribute something, remember us in a footnote!

Oh lol, nah that was just a fanciful thought, I highly doubt the LE would need a foreign consultant especially if they are working with Interpol, the FBI and State Dept, and who knows who else. When I said business intelligence and benchmarking on existing tech, I meant to see what really exists and see if there is an open need or small niche to be filled, and if so how I could fill it. Even if there was a need..who knows if I could bring it to fruition, I have the resources, but too much on my plate, and this would be 1-2 yrs out if not longer..so no I see no way of immediately helping this case except speculation on this board.

Though as to what tech I find that is relevant to helping solve these types of cases with the info we assume the LE has, then yes of course I will share. It might not say anything about what LE actually are using, but it could show what is available and what they could or should be using.

I just realized, I have NO idea what any of you do, or who any of you are. Obviously, I don't go around giving my name out, but you know I work in tech and am a consultant in nyc. I only know a few of you are married and in nyc and turkey, germany, missouri..etc..well supposedly. I have no idea who of you are journalists, work in Gov't (except one who stated they worked for the State Dept), maybe for the FBI, LE, are family or family friends (except one who stated such)..or are just bored and at home helping with sleuthing or out of curiosity. I do think all of the above exists here though. I am sure of it.

 

[CMac2]

No need to. I'm sorry for getting off on my high horse. I didn't complain to anyone, either - no need to. We cool.

I'm a furious and obnoxious debater. It's one of the scars of growing up with a parent who is a lawyer. I need to keep reminding myself to tone that down when among friends. Friends, CMac2?

Yep, friends.

I'm not the most timid debater myself. My parents nicknamed me "counselor" (as in, "yes, counselor") when I was a kid for this very reason. It gets doubly frustrating when I feel that the words I'm typing do not accurately portray the point I'm trying to make. That isn't anyone else's fault though.

ETA: This is the first time I've ever had my hand swatted by the mods!:blushing:

 

[Yashim]

As of this very moment, there is nothing new from the Turkish media.

I think I'll just head back to the precinct and go over the evidence once more.

 

[ToutCa]

or are just bored and at home helping with sleuthing

Hey I resemble that accusation!

 

[ToutCa]

As of this very moment, there is nothing new from the Turkish media.

I think I'll just head back to the precinct and go over the evidence once more.

Yashim I can promise you a big bonus plus a week's extra vacation if you just -- you know -- sprinkle a little of Taylan's DNA over some of the key evidence?

Come on, it could all be over THAT fast!!!!

 

[Yashim]

Oh lol, nah that was just a fanciful thought, I highly doubt the LE would need a foreign consultant especially if they are working with Interpol, the FBI and State Dept, and who knows who else. When I said business intelligence and benchmarking on existing tech, I meant to see what really exists and see if there is an open need or small niche to be filled, and if so how I could fill it. This would never help this case..this ia long term thought.

I just realized, I have NO idea what any of you do, or who any of you are. Obviously, I don't go around giving my name out, but you know I work in tech and am a consultant in nyc. I only know a few of you are married and in nyc and turkey, germany, missouri..etc and all supposedly. I have no idea who of you are journalists, work in Gov't (except one who stated they worked for the State Dept), maybe for the FBI, LE, are family or family friends (except one who stated such)..or are just bored and at home helping with sleuthing or out of curiosity. I do think all of the above exists here though. I am sure of it.

Personally, I wouldn't recommend that. Whoever comes their way, LE ask for semen & blood sample. They'll take you to a cozy cell, give you a cup and say "why don't you get yourself comfortable and do what you have to do" with a wink.

 

[CMac2]

Personally, I wouldn't recommend that. Whoever comes their way, LE ask for semen & blood sample. They'll take you to a cozy cell, give you a cup and say "why don't you get yourself comfortable and do what you have to do" with a wink.

Sheesh. Do they at least provide girly magazines to... uh... help a brotha out?

 

[ToutCa]

Yep, friends.

I'm not the most timid debater myself. My parents nicknamed me "counselor" (as in, "yes, counselor") when I was a kid for this very reason. It gets doubly frustrating when I feel that the words I'm typing do not accurately portray the point I'm trying to make. That isn't anyone else's fault though.

ETA: This is the first time I've ever had my hand swatted by the mods!:blushing:

It's OK, you're smart and funny, and you're husband is both a lucky man and (I imagine) quite a strong one as well (to hold serve to your challenge)!

You've helped my understanding dozens of times on this case.

And it's been humbling to me to watch it unfold as well. Every time I think I know something, or really am on to the true story, the next dribble of evidence refutes everything I thought I knew. It has taught me to tamp down my tendency to rely on my noggin and think I've just got it all figured out.

How do people in LE deal with this kind of stress day in and day out?

 

[Yashim]

Sheesh. Do they at least provide girly magazines to... uh... help a brotha out?

we'll know when looking4answers proceeds with his plan

 

[KuriousKev]

3. The most-often used picture of SS is beautiful -the one of her in a leather jacket with a cap covering her hair and her eyes cast upward. When I first saw it the day her disappearance hit the news, I assumed she was someone who had made a name for herself as an author since it looked like a professional shot for a book cover. The details of her life as they were revealed seem much more humble, yet just as meaningful as a wife, mother, wage-earner and student. I find myself wondering in what context that picture was taken and by whom, because it IS so much more striking that typical photos a family might have around to use for publicizing a disappearance. It probably has no bearing on the circumstances of her tragic death, and I am just wondering as I fill in the picture in my own mind.

Nothing important, just want to share my view on the photo you speak of. As a photog and photo editor It's a little easy for me to 'read' photos sometimes...just something you develop over the years. It appears as though she and a guest were on a casual photo excursion in NYC (you see her Samsung phone/camera sticking out of her pocket). To me it looks as though they were on the BK Bridge (you see bridge cabling and railing) and decided to stop and take an impromptu photo while there. The friend that captured the photo used a DSLR because of the deep bokeh (shallow depth of field) seen in the background which cannot be done using a camera phone.

 

[CMac2]

It's OK, you're smart and funny, and you're husband is both a lucky man and (I imagine) quite a strong one as well (to hold serve to your challenge)!

You've helped my understanding dozens of times on this case.

And it's been humbling to me to watch it unfold as well. Every time I think I know something, or really am on to the true story, the next dribble of evidence refutes everything I thought I knew. It has taught me to tamp down my tendency to rely on my noggin and think I've just got it all figured out.

How do people in LE deal with this kind of stress day in and day out?

I imagine they deal with it by using lots of gallows and toilet humor. They almost have to. Look at the shenanigans (Biz Markie, anyone?) we've resorted to, and we're just armchair sleuths.

This case has been humbling, to say the least. Isn't there a saying or a phrase or something (get ready, because I'm probably about to butcher it) that the only certain thing is change? That sums this case up beautifully. It's like it's all smoke and mirrors. We think we're on to something, only to find out we were on to nothing but an illusion. BIZARRE!!! :banghead:

As for my husband, I alternate between adoration and pure sympathy for the guy. He's got to be something, that's for sure, to put up with me. LOL.

 

[ToutCa]

Nothing important, just want to share my view on the photo you speak of. As a photog and photo editor It's a little easy for me to 'read' photos sometimes...just something you develop over the years. It appears as though she and a guest were on a casual photo excursion in NYC (you see her Samsung phone/camera sticking out of her pocket). To me it looks as though they were on the BK Bridge (you see bridge cabling and railing) and decided to stop and take an impromptu photo while there.

GEEZ, THANKS, SHERLOCK!

That was amazing...KuriousKev, how about applying those powers of deduction to this case? What's your theory on what happened to SS?

 

[CocoChanel]

bbm, Thanks! It's not just me:great:

I too wondered why show a picture of her in a hat? People can look so different with their hair pulled back much less tucked up under a hat. Then I thought well maybe she did that to be respectful in a country with a high muslim population and knowing that she disappeared there that the hat pic was best. idk jmo

I really hadn't even thought about the fact a hat picture was chosen to publicize, but now that you mention it, it doesn't really reveal what SS would look like if you could see her hair. Yet, like you said, it could have been chosen because it was known she WAS wearing a hat the majority of the time she was on her trip in this country.

I am still more intrigued with how that wonderful professional-looking picture came to be. I am trying to fit it into this puzzle. My experience until now following disappearances and crimes on WS is that most missing persons photos are not as clear or well-done as this. Most I recall are cropped from exisiting family pictures, including Olan Mills-style studio shots and candids from Aunt Carol's CyberShot. I guess I could be underestimating the capabilities of today's easily-accessible high-def devices. I am just struck by this picture that seems to capture a beautiful young woman looking toward a faraway place, with an air of mystery in her eyes. Now in hindsight, it perfectly captures the machinations of this complicated case.

 

[english]

As of this very moment, there is nothing new from the Turkish media.

I think I'll just head back to the precinct and go over the evidence once more.

Don't do that! I did it last night and look what I started over a probably irrelevant postal delivery to her lodgings.

 

[looking4answers]

we'll know when looking4answers proceeds with his plan

lmao, what is funny, is I feel the SAME way about police in western countries. Look at what is going on with the LAPD! Plus, I have many friends (or fam) who are police, either federal, state, local, or even who work or who have worked in the intelligence community. Knowing how some of them can be a**es just as friends or family (It is a love/hate relationship), and the stories I have heard from some of them on the job, I can only IMAGINE the morally questionable things they do or going on in general.

I.do.not.trust.the.law. (mostly because humans are fallible)

Sorry. Just don't . A lot of it has to do with power, and the abuse of, because they are desensitized. Yet, also because there is always a % of bad apples, just as a reflection of society in general. This has of course been proven in studies etc. I know most forces do diligent screening now before hiring, but you never know who gets in!

Just an anecdote. I have Dr friends/fam, that would never step foot in a hospital as a patient or avoid doing so at all costs unless absolutely necessary or out of their control. Why? because they just know..:what:

Same thing for the law, I highly doubt a lawyer, or cop, wants to be on the other end. Just because..they know..ooohh yeah :hills: :biglaugh:

 

[ToutCa]

Don't do that! I did it last night and look what I started over a probably irrelevant postal delivery to her lodgings.

Dare we debate that again?

 

[CMac2]

I really hadn't even thought about the fact a hat picture was chosen to publicize, but now that you mention it, it doesn't really reveal what SS would look like if you could see her hair. Yet, like you said, it could have been chosen because it was known she WAS wearing a hat the majority of the time she was on her trip in this country.

I am still more intrigued with how that wonderful professional-looking picture came to be. I am trying to fit it into this puzzle. My experience until now following disappearances and crimes on WS is that most missing persons photos are not as clear or well-done as this. Most I recall are cropped from exisiting family pictures, including Olan Mills-style studio shots and candids from Aunt Carol's CyberShot. I guess I could be underestimating the capabilities of today's easily-accessible high-def devices. I am just struck by this picture that seems to capture a beautiful young woman looking toward a faraway place, with an air of mystery in her eyes. Now in hindsight, it perfectly captures the machinations of this complicated case.

So I have one amazing picture of myself. It was a total fluke as to how it became a picture at all, let alone that it's beautiful.

One night I was hanging out at a friend's house. We'd met up at her place to do the girly-prep prior to going out for the night- clothes, makeup, etc.

When we were getting ready (the only thing left to do was to put our makeup on), we decided to take a picture of ourselves (face shot, using a mirror) in her bathroom. We were posing in the mirror cheek-to-cheek, essentially. When I looked at the picture, it was instantly my most favorite picture of myself. No makeup, no craziness, no nothing. Natural.

I did what every conceited woman does, and instantly cropped my friend out of it, adjusted the centering a little, and poof. I've had it ever since. My husband actually framed it. LOL.

I'm saying with regards to the SS pic, all its original purpose could have been (and likely was) just a picture. Sometimes we surprise ourselves and create a thing of beauty out of something we didn't plan to be a thing of beauty. I hope that makes sense. It would be really, really neat to me if it turns out this picture was a fluke- but somehow ended up being so beautiful anyway.

 

[looking4answers]

Hey I resemble that accusation!

lol, I am sure MOST of us do!

 

[CocoChanel]

Nothing important, just want to share my view on the photo you speak of. As a photog and photo editor It's a little easy for me to 'read' photos sometimes...just something you develop over the years. It appears as though she and a guest were on a casual photo excursion in NYC (you see her Samsung phone/camera sticking out of her pocket). To me it looks as though they were on the BK Bridge (you see bridge cabling and railing) and decided to stop and take an impromptu photo while there. The friend that captured the photo used a DSLR because of the deep bokeh (shallow depth of field) seen in the background which cannot be done using a camera phone.

THANK YOU for posting more of that photo! I had not seen the part below with the details you note. Thank you also for your input.

I continue to be wrapped up in the beauty and mystery of that picture, in what happened to SS, and how haunting both of those events are.

 

[english]

Dare we debate that again?

No! I'll try to find another small, insignificant detail in an article from long ago that we can debate to add a few more pages to this thread.