What happened to Debrina Kawam? Authorities reveal cause of death for woman set on fire on NYC subway

New York officials have identified the 57-year-old woman who was burned alive inside a subway car in December to be Debrina Kawam, a New Jersey resident. Kawam died from "thermal and inhalational injuries," the New York City Chief Medical Examiner told People Magazine on Tuesday.

At the time of her demise, Kawam was sleeping inside the subway car when a man allegedly deliberately set her on fire. The accused assailant has since been identified as Sebastian Zapeta Calil, 33. An undocumented immigrant, Calil was indicted this Friday on charges involving both first and second-degree murder, as well as arson. He has yet to enter into a plea, and his arraignment is slated for January 7.

Everything we know about Debrina Kawam's untimely demise as suspected assailant claims to have no memory of the killing

Police claim that on December 22, Sebastian Zapeta Calil “calmly" approached a sleeping Debrina Kawam. The two were on the F train, which was headed toward the Coney Island–Stillwell Avenue subway station in Brooklyn, New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch revealed in a press conference held last week.

Kawam, who was wrapped in a blanket, was set ablaze when Zapeta-Calil used a lighter to burn her clothes. At the time, NYPD Chief of Transit Joseph M. Gulotta revealed at the conference, that Kawam was "motionless" on the seat, and the two had no prior contact. Kawam was “fully engulfed in flames in a matter of seconds,” Tisch said.

Police initially reported Debrina Kawam to be 61 years old, though it was later amended to be 57. While the extensive burns to her “badly burned” body initially made it difficult to identify her, a fingerprint match was later able to uncover her name. The victim was also presumed to be homeless, further complicating the identification process.

Debrina Kawam's manner of death has since been ruled a homicide, People magazine has reported, and she lived in Toms River, N.J., the NYPD has revealed. Per CNN, Kawam had a “brief stint” in New York's shelter system, and officials have already notified her next of kin, Mayor Eric Adams revealed in a news conference on Tuesday.

“People should not be living on our subway system. They should be in a place of care,” Adams said to CNN. “And no matter where she lived, that should not have happened.”

As for Sebastian Zapeta Calil, he claims to have no recollection of the incident, claiming he was heavily inebriated at the time.

Trending

While Calil denied having any recollection of the incident, CNN has reported that during one of his initial appearances in court, he did confirm that it was him in the photos related to the attack on Debrina Kawam.

×

Was this article helpful?

Thank You for feedback

Comment