Woman Burned to Death on NYC Subway Identified

Debrina Kawam, victim of NYC subway burning.

Debrina Kawam, 57, identified as the woman burned to death on a New York City subway. Sebastian Zapeta charged with murder and arson.

The female who perished subsequent to being ignited on a New York City subway earlier in the current month has been identified as Debrina Kawam, age 57, residing in Toms River, New Jersey, as stated by the New York medical examiner's office this past Tuesday.

Kawam's identification was achieved via analysis of her fingerprints, and her cause of death, resulting from thermal injuries and injuries due to inhalation, has been determined to be homicide, according to Julie Bolcer, a spokesperson for the Office of Chief Medical Examiner.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams indicated that Kawam "had a brief period of residence within our system of shelters for the homeless," without providing further details.

Sebastian Zapeta, a 33-year-old citizen of Guatemala, has been charged with both murder and arson after allegedly setting Kawam ablaze and observing her burning until death at a station within the subway system.

Zapeta's apprehension occurred roughly six hours after law enforcement states he utilized a lighter to ignite the clothing of Kawam, who appeared to be sleeping on a stationary F train at the Coney Island-Stillwell Avenue stop located in Brooklyn.

The suspect's entry into the U.S. was without authorization in the year 2018, and he was deported to Guatemala several days thereafter. The timeframe of his unlawful re-entry remains unclear, as per the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

It appears that no prior interaction existed between the assailant, a male residing in Brooklyn, and Kawam, according to statements from the police.

The statement from the Department of Homeland Security conveyed that it would pursue proceedings for removal once again upon Zapeta's release from the custody of New York, which could entail a substantial prison sentence should he be found guilty.

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