United States: The woman who succumbed to burn injuries after being set on fire while on the New York City subway last week was confirmed as Debrina Kawam, 57, of Toms River, in New Jersey by the New York City medical examiner on Tuesday.
Kawam’s body was found through fingerprint analysis and her death due to thermal and inhalation injuries was reported as a homicide by Julie Bolcer, a spokeswoman of Office of Chief Medical Examiner, as reported by Reuters.
Suspect Arrested and Charged
New York City Mayor Eric Adams stated the following about Kawam “he had a brief stay in our homeless shelter,” although did not elaborate the information.
Sebastian Zapeta, a 33-year-old from Guatemala, was charged with murder and arson over what is believed to have been the act of pouring gasoline on Kawam and setting her alight at a subway station to watch her burn.
The woman who was killed when a man intentionally set fire to her while she was sleeping on a New York City subway train earlier this month has been identified as 61-year-old Debrina Kawam, police said. https://t.co/9huXZ8zSuH
— WSVN 7 News (@wsvn) January 1, 2025
Zapeta was arrested roughly six hours after police claim that he employed a lighter to set the clothes of Kawam on fire who seemed asleep on a fixed F train at the Coney Island-Stillwell Avenue stop in Brooklyn.
Zapeta’s Background and Deportation History
He arrived in the U.S, illegally in 2018 and was deported back to Guatemala within the following few days. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security pointed out that it was still unknown when he had entered the country Il all unlawfully, as reported by Reuters.
The woman who was fatally burned in the NYC subway has been identified as Debrina Kawam. She was 61 years old. She had mobility issues which lead to her being homeless. May she rest in peace. May she rest in peace. pic.twitter.com/qDUzALycQg
— Ria.Ria (@phatperspective) January 1, 2025
There is evidence to suggest that there had been no prior contact between the attacker, a 20-year-old Brooklyn man, and Kawam, according to police.
The Department of Homeland Security statement stated that it would initiate removal proceedings where and whenever Zapeta is freed from New York custody, which could be a long prison term should he be found guilty.