Victim Identified in Brooklyn Subway Arson Case

The tragic case of a woman murdered in a subway attack has taken a turn as police identify the victim as Debrina Kawam, 57. Sebastian Zapeta, 33, has been charged with her murder after allegedly igniting a fire while she slept. Authorities are investigating wider safety concerns in NYC's transit system.

In a disturbing incident, New York City police have identified the victim of a gruesome attack on a subway train in Brooklyn. Debrina Kawam, a 57-year-old woman from New Jersey, was set on fire on December 22, leaving her body unrecognizable. Authorities have charged Sebastian Zapeta, 33, with her murder, alleging he used a lighter to ignite Ms. Kawam while she slept and then fanned the flames with a shirt from outside the subway car.

The identification of Ms. Kawam was delayed for over a week, finalized through fingerprint analysis and aided by multiple law enforcement agencies. The Chief Medical Examiner's office ruled her death a homicide caused by "thermal and inhalational injuries." At a press briefing, NYC Mayor Eric Adams emphasized the need for better services for homeless individuals, stating that it is unacceptable for anyone to suffer such a fate on public transport.

The tragedy has sparked both public mourning and concerns about safety on public transit, leading to a vigil for the unidentified victim last week. Police investigations revealed that Ms. Kawam was motionless and apparently asleep in the Coney Island-Stillwell Avenue subway station when Zapeta approached her. Unbeknownst to first responders who doused the flames, Zapeta remained nearby, seated on a bench as chaos unfolded.

During a preliminary hearing, Zapeta claimed he had been drinking and had no memory of the attack but acknowledged recognizing himself in video footage. The suspect, originally from Guatemala, had a prior deportation in 2018 due to legal issues and later re-entered the U.S. illegally, as noted by immigration authorities.

Zapeta's indictment includes four counts of murder and one count of arson. He is scheduled to return to court on January 7. This horrific event, occurring against the backdrop of declining subway crime rates, has heightened anxiety about the safety of New York City's massive transit network, further underscored by another incident in Manhattan where an individual was shoved onto the tracks.