After a week-long investigation, New York City police have identified Debrina Kawam as the victim of a fatal subway arson. A suspect has been indicted on multiple charges, shedding light on the grim circumstances surrounding the attack.
Authorities Identify Victim of Gruesome Brooklyn Subway Attack
Authorities Identify Victim of Gruesome Brooklyn Subway Attack
Police reveal the identity of Debrina Kawam, who died from a horrific fire incident on a subway train, as the accused awaits trial.
In a tragic incident that has shocked the New York City community, police have confirmed the identity of a woman who was set on fire on a subway train in Brooklyn in December. Debrina Kawam, a 61-year-old from New Jersey, was the victim of the vicious attack that occurred on December 22, leaving her body severely burned and unrecognizable. The alleged perpetrator, 33-year-old Sebastian Zapeta, is accused of igniting the fire using a lighter while Ms. Kawam was asleep in the subway car.
Reports indicate that Mr. Zapeta fanned the flames using a shirt before moving to watch the fire from a nearby bench. Following the incident, he was indicted by a grand jury on four counts of murder and one count of arson. Despite his claims of not remembering the event due to intoxication, prosecutors presented evidence, including photos and surveillance footage, linking Mr. Zapeta to the gruesome crime.
Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez emphasized the importance of identifying Ms. Kawam to notify her family and spoke about the efforts taken to gather DNA and fingerprint evidence. With false narratives and AI-generated images circulating online, her identity was confirmed only after extensive investigation, prompting community vigils in her honor.
The subway attack took place at the Coney Island-Stillwell Avenue Station, where Mr. Zapeta allegedly approached Ms. Kawam without any prior interaction. New York’s police commissioner, Jessica Tisch, condemned the act as "one of the most depraved crimes." As Mr. Zapeta remains in custody, he is scheduled to appear in court on January 7 for further proceedings.
