Who was the victim of New York subway fire? What we know about Debrina Kawam

The New York subway fire incident on December 22, 2024, was tragic, to say the least, and 57-year-old Debrina Kawam has been identified as the victim. Kawam was from Tom River in New Jersey according to police officials.

Reports suggest that Kawam was a homeless woman who had no fixed address. The X account ‘Deplorable Greenie’ shared a post on December 31, 2024, mentioning that Kawan was a student of an NJ high school. The post, which also contained her photo from what appears like a yearbook, read:

“Debrina Kawam when she graduated in 1985 from a NJ High School. Went go work for Merck in marketing in 92.”

Mayor Eric Adams mentioned during a briefing on December 31, 2024, that Debrina Kawam had spent a short period in the city's shelter system. Her previous address was Waterbury Court in Toms River. According to BBC, her body was burnt to an extent that left no room for recognition.

The alleged suspect behind the incident, Sebastian Zapeta, was taken into custody. Zapeta is reportedly an illegal immigrant from Guatemala.

Debrina Kawan was asleep on an F train when Zapeta reportedly ignited the fire using a shirt and then observed the flames spread while sitting on a bench outside the train. She died in the scene. The incident happened at the Stillwell Avenue station in Brooklyn before 7:30 a.m.

Police officers present at that time smelled smoke and went to investigate what happened only to find the person’s burning body. The city medical examiner's office confirmed Debrina Kawam's identity through fingerprint analysis, according to reports.

Authorities indicated that Debrina Kawam and Sebastian Zapeta were unlikely to have been acquainted before the incident

Officials said they don’t think Debrina Kawam and the suspect knew each other from before. However, they have been trying to contact Kawam’s next of kin. Additionally, District Attorney Eric Gonzalez previously stated that investigators were employing advanced fingerprinting techniques and DNA evidence to determine her identity due to the extent of the burns on her body.

Sebastian Zapeta was reportedly under the influence of intoxicants during the incident. Authorities said he was so intoxicated he didn’t remember what happened. He was arrested hours later after being recognized in Manhattan after police circulated his photos.

Zapeta was indicted on multiple charges, including first-degree murder, three counts of second-degree murder, and arson. Addressing a press conference, Eric Adams said:

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“Our hearts goes out to the family, horrific incident to have to live through and I you know just watching that tape just really I couldn’t even it all the way through. It was just a bad incident and it impacts on how New Yorkers feel but it really reinforced what I have been saying. People should not be living on the subway system.”

Adams emphasized the need for proper care and support, stating that such incidents should not occur regardless of where someone lives. He highlighted the plight of individuals living on the subway system and streets, stressing that this situation cannot be ignored or accepted.

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