The suspect seeing the woman dying in different postures-Source: nypost.com
A woman who was set on fire and killed on a New York City subway earlier this month has been identified as Debrina Kawam, 57, from Toms River, New Jersey. The New York medical examiner’s office confirmed her identity on Tuesday through fingerprint analysis. Her death was classified as a homicide caused by thermal and inhalation injuries, according to Julie Bolcer, a spokeswoman for the Office of Chief Medical Examiner.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams mentioned that Kawam had a brief stay in the city’s homeless shelter system but did not provide additional details.
Sebastian Zapeta, a 33-year-old Guatemalan citizen, has been charged with murder and arson. Authorities allege that Zapeta set Kawam’s clothes on fire while she appeared to be sleeping on a stationary F train at the Coney Island-Stillwell Avenue station in Brooklyn.
Police arrested Zapeta approximately six hours after the incident. Homeland Security revealed that Zapeta had unlawfully entered the U.S. in 2018 but was deported shortly after. The timeline of his return to the country remains unclear.
Investigators stated that there was no known prior interaction between Kawam and Zapeta.
If convicted, Zapeta could face a lengthy prison sentence. The Department of Homeland Security confirmed plans to pursue deportation proceedings again following his release from custody.
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