Turkish officials search for possible suspect in Staten Island woman's disappearance

Turkish police are searching for a person that corresponded via social media with a missing Staten Island woman, officials told The Associated Press.

The person Sarai Sierra, 33, exchanged messages with during her trip is now a possible suspect in her disappearance, according to the AP. The Staten Island Advance identified this man as "Taylan." It's unclear if this is his real name or an alias.

Sierra and Taylan planned to meet via email at the Galata Bridge, The Advance is reporting. Sierra's family last heard from her Jan. 21 when she said she was headed to the bridge. Police are searching security camera footage to see if the meeting between Sierra and Taylan took place.

A special unit has been set up to search for the mother of two, who has been missing since Jan. 21. Sierra traveled to Istanbul alone, but kept her family updated daily of her whereabouts. She was supposed to return Jan. 22 to The United States, but never boarded her plane.

When she didn't arrive home, her husband, Steven Sierra, called the hostel she was staying at. The manger found all of Sierra's personal items still in her room.

Steven Sierra and his brother-in-law David Jimenez are in Istanbul assisting the local police's search.