New York City, New York – Police have identified Debrina Kawam, a 57-year-old woman from New Jersey, as the victim in a tragic incident where she was set on fire and burned to death on a subway train in Brooklyn on December 22nd. The attack, deemed seemingly random, left Ms Kawam’s body unrecognizable due to severe burns.

Accused of starting the fire with a lighter while Ms Kawam was asleep, 33-year-old Sebastian Zapeta allegedly fanned the flames with a shirt before observing the fire grow from a bench outside the subway car. Following a grand jury indictment last week, Mr Zapeta faces charges of murder and arson, although he claims to have no memory of the incident.

Authorities worked diligently to identify the victim, with Julie Bolcer from New York City’s Office of Chief Medical Examiner confirming the death as a homicide caused by “thermal and inhalational injuries.” It took over a week for Ms Kawam’s body to be identified, with efforts to collect DNA evidence and fingerprints from the remains contributing to the identification process.

Despite the tragic circumstances, an outpouring of support was seen for the then-unidentified victim, including a vigil held in her honor. Police believe that the suspect and victim had no prior interaction, indicating that the attack was unprovoked and unexpected. The incident was described by New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch as “one of the most depraved crimes one person could commit against another human being.”

In a preliminary hearing, prosecutor Ari Rottenberg revealed that Mr Zapeta admitted to drinking but claimed no recollection of the incident. He identified himself in photos and surveillance video capturing the fire being ignited. Originally from Guatemala, Mr Zapeta had been deported from the US in 2018 and later re-entered the country illegally.

As New York City’s subway grapples with safety concerns following a series of recent attacks, including an incident of someone being pushed onto tracks in Manhattan’s Chelsea neighborhood, authorities continue to investigate and address the safety of passengers on the nation’s largest mass transit system. The unidentified male victim in the Chelsea incident sustained a head injury and was admitted to the hospital, with police actively searching for the suspect. The incidents serve as a stark reminder of the importance of ensuring the safety and security of public transportation systems.