A horrific and disturbing crime unfolded in New York City last week when a woman was burned alive aboard a subway car. The victim has now been identified as 57-year-old Debrina Kawam from Toms River, New Jersey, a quiet coastal town on the Jersey Shore. This tragic incident occurred on December 22 in Brooklyn, as Kawam was set on fire while riding a stationary train at the Coney Island-Stillwell Avenue station.
At first, Police Couldn’t Identify Debrina Kawam Due to the Burns
At first, authorities couldn’t even identify her due to the severity of the burns. The NYPD is still investigating the cause of death, though it’s clear this was a deliberate act of violence. According to reports, Kawam had been living in New York City shelters and had a brief stay at the Franklin Williams Women’s Shelter in the Bronx before leaving on December 2. The nonprofit Coalition for the Homeless suggested she might have been homeless at the time of the attack, but police haven’t confirmed it.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams expressed his horror over the incident. He acknowledged the heart-wrenching tragedy, stating that no one should have to experience such a brutal act, no matter where they live. Adams also took a firm stance on the growing issue of homelessness in the subway system, insisting that people in need should be provided proper care instead of being forced to live on the streets or transit lines.
The man accused of this appalling crime is 33-year-old Sebastian Zapeta, a previously deported immigrant from Guatemala. He was arrested just hours after the attack. Zapeta faces a range of serious charges, including first-degree murder, three counts of second-degree murder, and arson. Surveillance footage from the scene shows Zapeta approaching Kawam, who was sitting still, possibly asleep, before setting her on fire with a lighter. The flames spread rapidly, engulfing her clothing. Disturbingly, the footage shows Kawam standing while on fire, indicating she was alive when it happened. Zapeta didn’t flee the scene; instead, he sat outside the train car as transit workers and officers tried to put out the flames. Kawam was pronounced dead at the scene.
Sebastian Zapeta Facing Life in Prison
Zapeta’s actions have stunned the city, especially so close to the holiday season. Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez called the attack “malicious” and “intentional,” emphasizing the vulnerability of the victim and the shock it caused to New Yorkers. Zapeta faces life without parole for the first-degree murder charge, with second-degree murder carrying a 25-to-life sentence.
In an additional twist, Zapeta’s criminal history includes a deportation in 2018 after crossing the U.S.-Mexico border illegally. He was apprehended by Border Patrol, then deported under the Trump administration. However, he managed to re-enter the U.S. illegally at some point before committing this horrific crime.
Mayor Adams’ office has directed the NYPD and ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) to explore federal arson charges against Zapeta as well. This chilling act has left many wondering how such brutality could take place on a subway, and what more can be done to prevent tragedies like this from occurring again.
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