Sarai Sierra murder suspect nabbed in Syria with help from rebels, Turkey police chief says

Police search the scene where the body of Sarai Sierra was discovered near the remnants of ancient city walls in Istanbul, Turkey, Feb. 2, 2013. / AP

ANKARA, Turkey Istanbul's police chief says a man suspected of killing a New York City woman in Istanbul was caught in Syria in a joint operation by Syrian rebels and Turkish officials.

Huseyin Capkin contradicted a statement by the interior minister who had said the suspect was detained at the border as he entered Turkey.

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Istanbul Governor Avni Mutlu says the suspect has confessed to killing Sarai Sierra, whose body was found in Istanbul on Feb. 2, days after she was reported missing during a solo vacation. Authorities say she died of a blow to the head.

A video reportedly recorded in Syria, and posted on Hurriyet newspaper's website, shows the purported suspect saying he was under the influence of paint thinner during the incident.

Turkish news reports have described him as a homeless scrap paper collector. He has been identified only as Ziya T.