Sarai Sierra laid to rest, husband and relatives in grief

NEW YORK - Anatolia News Agency

Sierra’s sons, 9-year-old Silas and 11-year-old Sion, attended the burial alongside their father. AA photo

Sarai Sierra, an American mother of two who was murdered last month in Turkey, was laid to rest Feb. 15 on Staten Island, New York, after three funeral processions were held. 
 
Speaking during the burial ceremony, Sierra’s husband, Steven Sierra, told family members and relatives that he could not accept his wife’s death. 

“I have still a lot of questions that I would like to ask to God. I want to say, should it all have ended this way?” he said. Sierra’s sons, 9-year-old Silas and 11-year-old Sion, attended the burial alongside their father.  
 
Pastor John Rocco Carlo, who led the funeral at a local Pentecostal church, expressed his condolences and compassion to the family. Carlo had previously thanked the Turkish government and police forces for their cooperation, while calling for the murderer to be brought to justice as soon as possible. 

Carlo had also presided over the couple’s wedding. The date of the burial coincided with the 15th anniversary of the couple’s engagement.

The 33-year-old woman’s body was discovered Feb. 2 near Istanbul’s ancient city walls, 12 days after she disappeared. Police say she suffered a fatal blow to the head.

Turkish police are searching for a man known as “Laz Ziya” or “Ziya T.” who is thought to be the number-one suspect in the murder. Ziya T., who earns his living collecting and selling used paper, reportedly left Istanbul right after Sierra’s body was found by police Feb. 2.