Authorities have identified the woman who was killed after being set on fire earlier this month on a New York City subway. Debrina Kawam, 57, of Toms River, New Jersey, died from thermal and inhalation injuries, the city’s medical examiner’s office said Tuesday, ruling her death a homicide.
Kawam was identified through fingerprint analysis, according to Julie Bolcer, a spokesperson for the Office of Chief Medical Examiner. Police said the attack occurred on a stationary F train at the Coney Island-Stillwell Avenue stop in Brooklyn, where Kawam was allegedly set on fire while dozing.
Sebastian Zapeta, a 33-year-old Guatemalan citizen, has been charged with murder and arson in connection with the attack. Authorities allege Zapeta used a lighter to ignite Kawam’s clothes and watched as she burned.
Zapeta was arrested six hours after the incident. According to the Department of Homeland Security, he entered the U.S. without authorization in 2018 and was deported shortly after. It remains unclear when he re-entered the country unlawfully.
Police have stated that there appeared to be no prior interaction between Kawam and Zapeta before the attack.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams confirmed that Kawam had “a brief stint in our homeless shelter system,” but provided no further details about her circumstances.
The Department of Homeland Security has announced plans to pursue removal proceedings against Zapeta once he is released from New York custody, which could follow a lengthy prison sentence if he is convicted.
