By: Richard L. Smith
New York police have identified the woman who tragically died after being set on fire aboard a Brooklyn subway train on December 22.
Authorities confirmed Tuesday that the victim was 57-year-old Ms. Debrina Kawam, a resident of Toms River.
The NYPD had previously indicated that forensic analysis and surveillance footage were instrumental in confirming Kawam’s identity.
She was killed in a horrifying incident that saw her fatally burned inside a subway car.
Sebastian Zapeta, the man accused of carrying out the attack, was apprehended hours after police circulated images of the suspect. He has since been indicted on charges of murder and arson and remains in custody. According to federal immigration officials, Zapeta, 33, is a Guatemalan national who entered the United States without legal documentation.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams addressed the incident during a press briefing on Tuesday, revealing that Kawam had previously spent time in the city’s homeless shelter system.
Adams did not provide specific details regarding the timing of her shelter stay but confirmed that officials had reached out to her family.
“Our hearts go out to her loved ones. This was a horrific incident for any family to endure,” Adams said. “It also affects the way New Yorkers feel about safety. As I’ve consistently stated, no one should be living in our subway system – everyone deserves to be in a place of care. Regardless of her circumstances, this should never have happened.”
The incident has reignited discussions around safety and homelessness within New York City's transit system, highlighting ongoing concerns about the welfare of vulnerable populations.