Sarai Sierra Murder: Family sells photos taken by New York City mom to cover funeral expenses, help her sons, report says

(CBS/AP) The family of Sarai Sierra, an amateur photographer from New York City who was found dead while traveling in Istanbul, posted her photos online for sale, with the proceeds to go for her funeral expenses, and to her two sons, the Hürriyet Daily News, an English-language newspaper in Turkey, reported.

Pictures: N.Y. mom found dead in Turkey

Sierra, 33, was on a solo vacation in Istanbul to pursue her photography hobby when she disappeared on Jan. 21. Her body was found 12 days later near the remnants of Istanbul's ancient walls. Police said she suffered a fatal blow to the head.

Her brother, David Jimenez, said her photographs were quickly sold on Instagram, which will cover her funeral expenses. Her remaining photos are still for sale and the profits will now go to her 9- and 11-year-old sons, according to the Turkish newspaper.

"My family and myself are incredibly thankful for the love and support that you have shown us," Jimenez wrote on a website set up to sell his sister's photography. "We also want to thank all of you who have donated funds to help us with the funeral arrangements."

Sierra's remains will be flown out of Turkey to her home in Staten Island on Thursday, the New York Daily News reported. Turkish Airlines is transporting the body for free, according to the newspaper.

Complete coverage of Sarai Sierra on Crimesider