ISTANBUL (Reuters) – A Turkish man was sentenced on Tuesday to life in prison for the 2013 murder of American tourist Sarai Sierra, whose disappearance in Istanbul had triggered a massive search.
Sierra, 33, from New York City, had been traveling alone on a photography trip when she went missing in January 2013. Her body was found 12 days later by the ruins of the old city wall in the poor Sarayburnu neighborhood
The Istanbul court sentenced Ziya Tasali, 48, to life in prison for murder, plus 5-1/2 years for sexual assault and 2-1/2 years for theft, to be served consecutively, said Ceren Sarman, a lawyer for the mother-of-two’s family.
“The ruling is in line with our expectations,” Sarman said. “The proceedings moved slowly, but we are still pleased with the final result.”
