US Cops Identify Woman Burned To Death In New York Subway

Wed Jan 01 01:39:22 UTC 2025: ## Homeless Woman Set Ablaze on NYC Subway; Suspect Charged with Murder

**NEW YORK, NY** – The New York City medical examiner’s office identified the victim of a brutal subway attack earlier this month as 57-year-old Debrina Kawam of Toms River, New Jersey. Kawam’s death, ruled a homicide, was caused by thermal and inhalation injuries sustained when she was set on fire on a Brooklyn subway platform.

Sebastian Zapeta, 33, a Guatemalan citizen who entered the U.S. illegally in 2018, has been charged with murder and arson. Police say Zapeta used a lighter to ignite Kawam’s clothing while she was apparently sleeping on a stationary F train at the Coney Island-Stillwell Avenue station. He allegedly watched her burn to death. Zapeta was arrested approximately six hours later.

While authorities confirm there was no apparent prior relationship between Kawam and Zapeta, Mayor Eric Adams revealed that Kawam had a brief history with the city’s homeless shelter system. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security stated that Zapeta, who was previously deported to Guatemala, will face renewed deportation proceedings upon his release from New York custody. This follows his illegal re-entry into the country, the timing of which remains unclear. Zapeta faces a lengthy prison sentence if convicted.