Funeral held for New York mother killed in Turkey

Sarai Sierra in FILE photo provided by the family. (AP)

NEW YORK – A New Yorker killed while vacationing alone in Turkey is being remembered as a good-hearted and joyful person.

The funeral is Friday for Sarai Sierra, a mother of two. Friends and strangers alike paid their respects at her wake Thursday on Staten Island.

Her body was found Feb. 2 in Istanbul, 12 days after she disappeared. Police say she suffered a fatal blow to the head.

The 33-year-old went to Turkey to explore her hobby, photography. A friend who was supposed to join her canceled for financial reasons.

Turkish authorities and the FBI are investigating her death. No arrests have been made.