Authorities announced Tuesday that the woman who died after being set on fire inside a New York City subway train on December 22 has been identified as 61-year-old Debrina Kawam from Toms River, New Jersey.
Victim Identified Through Forensics and Surveillance
The NYPD confirmed they used forensic evidence and video surveillance to identify Kawam, who tragically burned to death on a subway car in Brooklyn. Hours after releasing images of the suspect, police arrested 33-year-old Sebastian Zapeta.
Zapeta has since been indicted on charges of murder and arson. Federal immigration officials revealed that he is a Guatemalan national who entered the U.S. illegally. He remains in custody without bond.
Mayor Addresses Homelessness Connection
New York City Mayor Eric Adams disclosed that Kawam had a “brief stint” in the city’s homeless shelter system. While he did not specify when this occurred, Adams expressed condolences to her family.
“Hearts go out to the family, a horrific incident to endure,” Adams said at a press briefing. He also reiterated his stance on subway safety, stating, “People should not be living on our subway system. They deserve to be in a place of care.”
A black-and-white photo from a 1980s high school yearbook shows Debrina “Debbie” Kawam: blonde, curly-haired, and beaming with a radiant smile.
In 1985, in Little Falls, New Jersey, her future seemed full of promise. But nearly 40 years later, her life had taken a devastating turn. At 57, once a resident of Toms River, she had lost her home and was living homeless in New York City.
Some nights she found shelter in emergency facilities; others, she spent on the cold streets of the city.
A Cruel Death in Coney Island
On the morning of December 2, Kawam was asleep in a parked F-line subway train at Stillwell Avenue in Coney Island.
Zapeta-Calil set her on fire with a lighter and watched as she burned alive. Kawam’s charred remains were later identified through fingerprints.
A Life of Highs and Lows
Kawam’s later years were marked by hardship. Once registered in Toms River, she struggled with homelessness and loss. A neighbor recounted how she had once searched for her mother, unaware that she had already moved away.
Friends and acquaintances remember her as a vibrant high school student in Little Falls who loved her teenage years and hoped “the parties would never end.”
Kawam’s tragic death leaves a haunting reminder of a life filled with promise, lost to years of struggle and a cruel, senseless act.
Gruesome Details of the Attack
Prosecutors allege that Zapeta set Kawam on fire as she appeared to be sleeping on a stopped F train at Brooklyn’s Coney Island station. He then fanned the flames with a shirt, watching as the fire engulfed her. Kawam was pronounced dead at the scene.
Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez condemned the act, calling it a “malicious deed” against a “vulnerable woman” in the subway system.
Suspect’s Legal Proceedings
Zapeta has not yet entered a plea. His indictment will be unsealed on January 7. At a December 27 hearing, he was absent, and his attorney declined to comment. Prosecutors reported that when questioned, Zapeta claimed to have no memory of the incident due to alcohol consumption but identified himself in photos and surveillance footage of the attack.
Arrest Made Possible by Tip from Students
The arrest came just hours after Kawam’s death, thanks to a tip from high school students who recognized Zapeta from images circulated by police. Authorities praised their vigilance in helping bring the suspect to justice.
