Woman set on fire in New York City subway identified

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Woman set on fire in New York City subway identified
Author: Edward Helmore
Published: Dec, 31 2024 18:32

It took nine days to identify Debrina Kawam, 61, of Toms River, New Jersey, after she burned to death in Brooklyn. The woman who was set on fire in a subway car in New York on 22 December, horrifying New Yorkers and renewing a debate over city safety, has been identified as 61-year-old Debrina Kawam, of Toms River, New Jersey.

The victim’s identity, released by the New York police department, came nine days after the fatal incident. Investigators had previously said they were using forensics and video surveillance to identify the victim. Eric Adams, the New York City mayor, said Tuesday that Kawam had a “brief stint in our homeless shelter system” and that authorities had been in contact with her next of kin. He did not say when Kawam was in the homeless system.

The man accused of lighting her on fire, Sebastián Zapeta, was taken into custody hours after police disseminated images of a suspect in the woman’s death. He has since been indicted on murder and arson charges and is expected to appear in court next week.

Prosecutors said Zapeta, a Guatelamalan immigrant, set fire to Kawam, who is believed to have been homeless, while she was sleeping inside a train car at the Coney Island-Stillwell Avenue station in Brooklyn. Prosecutors said he used a lighter to start the fire and then used his shirt to fan the flames. Zapeta, who did not appear to know the victim, is facing one first-degree murder charge, three counts of second-degree murder and one count of first-degree arson.

“These are significant counts. Murder in the first degree carries the possibility of life without parole. It’s the most serious statute in New York state law, and my office is very confident about the evidence in this case and our ability to hold Zapeta accountable for his dastardly deeds,” Eric Gonzalez, the Brooklyn district attorney, said when he announced the charges last week.

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