Horrific Subway Attack Claims Life of NJ Woman; Suspect Charged with Murder

In a shocking act of violence, Debrina Kawam, 57, lost her life in a fire set by Sebastian Zapeta while she was asleep on a Brooklyn subway train. Zapeta, 33, has been charged with multiple counts of murder after allegedly using a lighter to ignite her before watching from a nearby bench. This tragic incident has raised concerns over public safety on the subway and brought attention to the challenges faced by homeless individuals.

On 22 December, a woman tragically burned to death on a Brooklyn subway train was identified as 57-year-old Debrina Kawam from New Jersey. Authorities revealed that the investigation took over a week, and her body was burned beyond recognition, prompting extensive forensic work to confirm her identity through fingerprint analysis. Sebastian Zapeta, 33, has been charged with multiple counts of murder and arson in connection with this chilling incident, where he allegedly set Ms. Kawam on fire while she was asleep on a subway car.

Zapeta is said to have used a lighter to ignite the flames, subsequently fanning them with a shirt and watching from a nearby bench, all while the victim remained unaware of the impending danger. At a press conference held by New York City Mayor Eric Adams, it was noted that Ms. Kawam had recently accessed a homeless shelter, underscoring the pressing issue of homelessness that persists in urban environments. "People should not be living on our subway systems," Adams stated, reinforcing the need for more comprehensive support for vulnerable populations.

As the investigation unfolded, Brooklyn district attorney Eric Gonzalez emphasized the priority of identifying the victim to notify her family and ensure justice is served. Ms. Kawam's tragic death was ruled a homicide by the Office of Chief Medical Examiner, attributed to grave thermal and inhalational injuries. Following the attack, a vigil was organized to honor the victim and address the circulating misinformation, including a counterfeit AI-generated image that surfaced online.

According to police officials, the incident occurred at the Coney Island-Stillwell Avenue Station early on that fateful day, where Zapeta reportedly approached Ms. Kawam without any previous interaction. Notably, police commissioner Jessica Tisch described the act as "one of the most depraved crimes one person could possibly commit against another human being."

During a preliminary hearing, Zapeta claimed to have no recollection of the events surrounding the fire, although he recognized himself in surveillance footage while under the influence of alcohol. He is originally from Guatemala and was previously deported from the US in 2018, later re-entering the country illegally, raising significant consideration of immigration policies.

The incident has rekindled fears regarding safety in New York City's subway system, despite a noted decline in crime rates overall. Public concern escalated further after a separate incident in Manhattan’s Chelsea neighborhood, where a man was pushed onto the tracks, resulting in injuries. As Zapeta awaits trial on 7 January, the dialogue surrounding subway safety and the treatment of homeless individuals continues to grow in importance.