An Istanbul Internet pal of Sarai Sierra claims he had a tryst with the murdered Staten Island mother of two in Turkey, according to published reports.
“Taylan K” – who has been interviewed at length by Istanbul police in the disappearance and killing of Sarai Sierra, 33 – admitted he had consensual sex with the married photographer the day before she went missing, Turkey’s daily Vatan reported today.
He is one of 22 people that Turkish police have taken sperm and/or blood samples from as they hunt Sierra’s killer.
Sierra was found dead of a single blow to the head in a seedy area of Istanbul Feb. 2, weeks after she failed to show up for a Jan. 21 flight home to New York.
Taylan has previously told police he and Sierra first met in person Jan. 13 but initially insisted they were just friends. The pair met online several months ago, when he commented on a photograph Sierra posted on Instagram, authorities have said.
SLAIN STATEN ISLAND MOM SARAI SIERRA MET WITH SHADY FRIENDS IN TURKEY
Taylan has denied any role in her disappearance or murder.
Police said Taylan sent Sierra a message the day she vanished, asking her to meet at an Istanbul tourist area. Taylan has said the meeting never happened because Sarai never responded.
US authorities told The Post yesterday that Sierra had kept company with a “criminal element” on her overseas trip, which began Jan. 7 in Istanbul and also included side trips to Amsterdam and Munich.
A tipster has told Istanbul police that Sierra was spotted with a group of rogue hustlers known for harassing women and tourists.
Sierra’s casket is scheduled to be flown home tomorrow on a Turkish Airlines flight.
Sierra’s family and friends have said repeatedly that she would not have run off with anyone and made the trip to indulge her love of photography.