3 Feb 2013

Body of US tourist found in Istanbul

1:34 pm on 3 February 2013

Police in Turkey have found the body of an American tourist reported missing in Istanbul 12 days before.

Sarai Sierra, 33, from New York City, was travelling alone and was reported missing on 21 January, a day before she was due to arrive back in New York City.

She went to Turkey two weeks earlier and made short trips to the Netherlands and Germany.

Security camera footage showed Ms Sierra at Ataturk airport before she flew to Amsterdam.

The Anatolian news agency said on Saturday her body was found in the ruins of the old city wall in the Sarayburnu neighbourhood. Her driving licence was found on the body.

Nine people are reported to be under arrest in connection with the case.

The BBC reports the case attracted extensive coverage in Turkey where the disappearance of tourists is rare.

Her husband and her brother travelled to Istanbul last week to join the search.