NEW YORK – Authorities revealed on Tuesday that the victim of a tragic subway fire incident was Debrina Kawam, a 57-year-old woman from New Jersey. Kawam’s employment history included a stint at the pharmaceutical company Merck from 2000 to 2002, but her life took a difficult turn, leading her to briefly stay in a homeless shelter after relocating to the city. The Department of Social Services did not specify when she had made the move.
Police tracked Kawam’s residence to Toms River, located along the Jersey Shore, and confirmed that her family had been notified of her death, which occurred on December 22. Efforts to contact potential relatives were initiated without immediate success. Mayor Eric Adams expressed condolences to the family, describing the incident as horrific during a separate news conference.
This incident followed a separate violent act in the busy New York subway system. Earlier the same day, a 45-year-old man was pushed onto the tracks at a station in Manhattan’s Chelsea neighborhood. He was critically injured by an oncoming train and has since been hospitalized. Police have detained a person of interest connected to the case.
While overall crime rates in the subway have reportedly decreased this year compared to the last, concerns have risen surrounding serious offenses, including stabbings and instances of individuals being shoved onto the tracks. Data from police indicates that homicides on the subway increased from five to nine between January and November this year, despite a general decline in major crime.
In the case involving Kawam, prosecutors stated that she was asleep on a Brooklyn subway train when an unidentified man, later identified as 33-year-old Sebastian Zapeta, set her clothing on fire. Zapeta allegedly fueled the flames with a shirt and then casually remained on a nearby platform as Kawam burned. Connecting the victim to the incident proved challenging for investigators, who utilized forensics and surveillance footage for identification.
Zapeta faces charges of murder and arson and was indicted following his arrest. His legal representation has refrained from making public comments about the case. Federal immigration authorities reported that Zapeta is a Guatemalan national who entered the U.S. without authorization. Police also revealed that the address they have for him corresponds to a shelter offering housing and support for substance abuse.
The police managed to apprehend Zapeta after disseminating his image publicly and receiving a tip from local high school students. In his statements, Zapeta acknowledged that he was seen in the footage of the incident but attributed his actions to excessive alcohol consumption, claiming he was unaware of the events that transpired.
Currently in custody, Zapeta’s next court appearance is scheduled for January 7. It remains unclear why Kawam was asleep during the incident, as New York’s subway system often serves as an unofficial shelter for homeless individuals. Although legal measures are in place to protect the rights of the homeless to shelter, many opt for the train system due to fears associated with the safety of other facilities.
On the morning of the unfortunate event, temperatures were recorded at around 20 degrees Fahrenheit, below freezing for an extended period, creating a challenging environment for those in need of shelter. Mayor Adams emphasized that regardless of her circumstances, such a tragedy should never occur.
In light of this incident, the social services department has stated that it will enhance efforts aimed at assisting homeless individuals, particularly those on the streets and in subways, and will encourage them to seek shelter options available throughout the city.
