United States: The woman who was tragically killed when a man intentionally set her on fire while she was sleeping on a New York City subway train earlier this month has been identified as Debrina Kawam. Police say the attack happened while she was resting on the train, and the man deliberately set the fire, leading to her death.
The verified identity of the deceased woman is not known, though the NYPD said she was 57 years old and lived in New Jersey. Police first reported that Kawam was aged 61 years.
As reported by the CNN, an investigation by the New York City Office of the Medical Examiner found that the woman died a homicidal death due to burns and smoke inhalation, as per a court complaint filed in Brooklyn Criminal Court.
Kawam’s alleged killer, Sebastian Zapeta-Calil, a 33-year-old undocumented migrant, was indicted on charges of first- and second-degree murder and arson Friday. He has not yet entered a plea and is to be arraigned January 7.
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-Calil said he could not recall what happened at the time as he stated he was under the influence of alcohol when he appeared in court for his arraignment. Zapeta-Calil did identify himself in photos related to the attack, according to the ADA Ari Rottenberg.
CNN has contacted Zapeta-Calil’s lawyer for response to the matter.
According to police, Zapeta-Calil crept up to Kawam the morning of December 22, as she was asleep on an F train pulling into Coney Island Stillwell Avenue station in Brooklyn and set her clothing on fire with a lighter, along with a blanket which was around her.
Kawam was briefly placed in the city’s shelter system; next of kin have been informed, New York City ’ s mayor, Eric Adams, said on Tuesday at a press briefing.
‘It’s sad that people should not be living on our subway system. They should be in a place of care,” Adams said speaking to CNN’s Mark Morales. “And no matter where she live that should not have happened.”
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