Victim Identified in Horrific Subway Arson Incident in Brooklyn

New York City police have finally identified Debrina Kawam, 61, as the victim of a gruesome subway arson incident that occurred on December 22. The suspect, Sebastian Zapeta, allegedly set Ms. Kawam on fire while she was sleeping and now faces serious charges, including murder and arson.

On December 22, a tragic incident unfolded on a Brooklyn subway train, leading to the devastating death of a woman later identified as Debrina Kawam, 61, from New Jersey. The New York City police were able to confirm Ms. Kawam's identity after days of investigation, during which they collected DNA evidence and fingerprints from her remains, badly burned in the attack.

The accused, 33-year-old Sebastian Zapeta, allegedly started the fire with a lighter while Ms. Kawam was asleep and proceeded to fan the flames with a shirt before watching the horrific scene unfold from a nearby bench. He has been indicted by a grand jury on four counts of murder and one count of arson. In a preliminary hearing, prosecutors stated that Zapeta, who claims memory loss from the night of the incident, identified himself in security footage despite his claimed amnesia.

The police worked diligently to identify the victim amidst a wave of false information circulating online, including a misleading AI-generated image. A vigil was held in honor of the unidentified victim as the police made efforts to notify her family. New York City’s Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch condemned the act as "one of the most depraved crimes" one person could inflict upon another.

Zapeta, previously deported from the United States in 2018, reportedly re-entered the country illegally and is set to return to court for further proceedings on January 7, 2024. The facts surrounding this brutal crime continue to shock and resonate throughout the city, highlighting ongoing concerns about public safety on public transportation.