Photo Courtesy of the Shields Family
Sierra Shields was reported missing eight months ago.
By Michael V. Cusenza
The cause and manner of death of an Astoria flight attendant whose remains recently washed up along the shores of Rikers Island have been deemed “undetermined” by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.
“This is a final determination reached after exhausting all the testing and available information,” OCME spokeswoman Julie Bolcer told The Forum last Friday.
Sierra Marie Shields, 30, was last seen on Thursday, Jan. 14, around noon, leaving LaGuardia Airport on foot, according to the FSS Facebook page.
The New York Post reported that Shields, who was studying to become a minister, quit her job as a flight attendant that Thursday, just before she walked out of the airport.
Shields briefly spoke with her mother the morning of the last day she was seen alive, and all of her belongings were left at her Astoria apartment, according to LostNMissing, Inc., a nonprofit organization that partners “with law enforcement, and families, to deliver solutions that help bring awareness to locate their missing family member.”
In January, family and friends of Shields indicated that she had been depressed in the days leading up to her disappearance, and cautioned the public that she might even be despondent in her current state.
“We thank you, every one of you who chose to follow Sierra’s FB page, Twitter and Instagram. Many of you posted and reposted to assist us in maintaining the awareness of her being missing. There are not enough words or expressions that we could use for how deeply grateful we all are,” the family said in a statement last week posted to the “Find Sierra Shields” Facebook page, confirming that her remains had been discovered.
“Thank you for sharing our pain, for consistent prayers, for all of the loving good thoughts that you sent our way. The outcome of this journey isn’t what we were all hoping for and the answers are not as clear cut as one would think. What we have received is what she gave to others love, love experienced through community, electronically and physically.”
On Sunday, Shields’ family again reached out to the loved ones and strangers who lent a helping hand over the past eight months.
“We do not have answers but we do have memories.
Our lives are a collection of moments. Moments are stitched into stories, and when stories are woven together they have the power to narrate someone’s life. It’s our best way of knowing, and now in the wake of Sierra’s passing, it’s our only way of knowing.
“Many of you have naturally shared pictures and memories of Sierra on social platforms. You’ve proclaimed in large and small ways how she influenced you, and how you’ll remember her. Please share your stories & memories with the Shields family.
- Write a message and share it with us here on Facebook or email it to findsierranyc@gmail.com.
- Record yourself telling a story and share it with us.
Your collection of memories of Sierra will become a keepsake for the Shields family. Please feel free to send photos along.
Thank you for your kindness, love and support as we grieve Sierra’s passing and celebrate Sierra’s life.
Blessings,
the Shields Family.”
