Staten Island mom still missing overseas - Los Angeles Local News, Weather, and Traffic

Staten Island mom still missing overseas

A week ago a Staten Island mother of two did not come home from a trip to turkey.

Police in turkey have releases new surveillance video showing Sarai Sierra, 33, in a shopping mall in Istanbul.

The video shows her with her long hair tucked under a hat riding down an escalator, sitting down to eat, and walking -- all by herself.  It is not clear when the video was taken, but seeing it brings up mixed emotions in Magalena Rodriguez, a friend who was supposed to go with her but couldn't afford the trip. She spoke to Fox 5.

Sierra left her Staten Island home January 7 for Istanbul. It was the first trip overseas for the avid photographer, who liked to take pictures of bridges and historic buildings and post them on her Instagram account.

Sierra is a mother of two boys, ages 9 and 11. Family and friends who all say she is a devoted wife and mother, who homeschooled her son.

When Sarai did not return last Tuesday, her husband of 14 years started making plans to find her. He flew to turkey with her brother. State department officials are working with local officials to solve the mystery.

Law enforcement sources say the FBI is also involved.

Rep. Michael Grimm, R-N.Y., is assisting the family. He said that Istanbul has a sophisticated video surveillance system and that he is confident this mystery will be solved. He said he and the family are still hoping for the best.