Police Trace Identity of Subway Attack Victim After Nine-Day Investigation
Debrina Kawam, a 57-year-old former Merck employee from Toms River, New Jersey, died after being set on fire while sleeping on a New York City subway train on December 22, 2024. Police identified Kawam on December 31 following a nine-day investigation using forensics and surveillance footage. Sebastian Zapeta, 33, faces murder and arson charges after allegedly igniting Kawam’s clothes at the Coney Island station and watching as she burned, marking the ninth subway-related killing in 2024.
5 Key Points
- Debrina Kawam worked at Merck Pharmaceutical Company from 2000 to 2002 before relocating to New York City.
- Sebastian Zapeta allegedly set the sleeping victim’s clothes on fire at Brooklyn’s Stillwell Avenue-Coney Island station.
- High school students identified Zapeta after police circulated surveillance images throughout the city.
- The attack occurred when temperatures reached 20 degrees Fahrenheit with 24 hours of below-freezing conditions.
- Subway killings increased from five to nine in 2024 despite an overall decline in major transit crimes.
‘Watched Her Burn’: Details of Fatal Brooklyn Subway Attack
Around 1:30 AM on December 22, 2024, Sebastian Zapeta approached Debrina Kawam as she slept aboard a stationary subway train at the Stillwell Avenue-Coney Island terminal station in Brooklyn. Surveillance footage showed Zapeta deliberately setting Kawam’s clothes ablaze while she remained unconscious, then using a shirt to fan the flames, intensifying the fire. After the attack, Zapeta sat on a nearby platform bench and watched as Kawam burned, making no attempt to help or alert authorities. The New York Police Department circulated surveillance images of the suspect throughout the city’s boroughs. This led to a breakthrough when local high school students recognized Zapeta and contacted the police. During subsequent interrogation, Zapeta identified himself in the surveillance footage but told investigators, “I drink a lot of liquor and do not know what happened.” Police records indicate Zapeta resided at a municipal shelter offering substance abuse treatment programs at the time of the attack.
From Pharmaceutical Career to NYC Shelter System
Debrina Kawam’s professional career included a position at Merck pharmaceutical company from 2000 to 2002, where she worked at their New Jersey operations. Property records show she maintained a residence in Toms River, a Jersey Shore community, before relocating to New York City in late 2024. The Department of Social Services confirmed Kawam entered the city’s homeless shelter system upon arrival in New York, though specific dates of her stay remain undisclosed. The brutal nature of the attack initially hampered identification efforts, requiring investigators to combine forensic analysis with surveillance footage to trace Kawam’s movements through the transit system. Police successfully notified Kawam’s family of her death on December 31, though attempts by The Associated Press to reach relatives at the Toms River address went unanswered.
Ninth Transit Murder Marks Year of Rising Subway Violence
The New York City subway system, which transported over 1 billion riders in 2024, witnessed a complex safety pattern throughout the year. While the NYPD reported an overall decrease in major crimes through November 2024, subway-related homicides increased from five to nine incidents. Hours after police identified Kawam, another violent incident occurred when an assailant pushed a 45-year-old man onto the tracks at a Chelsea station in Manhattan, leaving the victim in critical condition. Mayor Eric Adams addressed both incidents at an emergency briefing, stating, “Hearts go out to the family — a horrific incident to have to live through.” The Department of Social Services announced plans to enhance outreach efforts for homeless individuals seeking refuge in the subway system, particularly during extreme weather conditions. When Kawam was attacked, weather stations in Brooklyn recorded temperatures around 20 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 6.5 Celsius), with conditions remaining below freezing for 24 consecutive hours.
Guatemalan National Faces Life Sentence in Subway Burning
The Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office secured indictments against Zapeta for second-degree murder and first-degree arson on December 29, 2024. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement identified Zapeta as a Guatemalan national who entered the United States illegally, though the date of his entry remains unknown. His court-appointed defense attorney has maintained silence regarding the charges, declining multiple requests for comment from media outlets. The New York Department of Correction confirmed Zapeta remains in custody at Rikers Island without bail. His next appearance at Kings County Supreme Court is scheduled for January 7, 2025, where he is expected to enter a formal plea. If convicted on all charges, Zapeta faces a maximum sentence of 25 years to life in prison.
FAQ
Q: What happened to Debrina Kawam on the NYC subway?
A: Debrina Kawam died after Sebastian Zapeta allegedly set her clothes on fire while she slept on a stopped subway train at Brooklyn’s Coney Island station on December 22, 2024. Zapeta reportedly fanned the flames with a shirt and watched from the platform as she burned.
Q: How did the police catch the suspect?
A: Police arrested Sebastian Zapeta after circulating surveillance images throughout New York City. A group of high school students recognized Zapeta from the photos and provided a tip to law enforcement, leading to his arrest.
Q: What criminal charges does Sebastian Zapeta face?
A: The Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office has indicted Zapeta on second-degree murder and first-degree arson charges. If convicted, he faces 25 years to life in prison. His next court appearance is scheduled for January 7, 2025.
Q: What was Debrina Kawam’s background?
A: Kawam was a 57-year-old former Merck pharmaceutical employee who worked there from 2000 to 2002. She maintained a residence in Toms River, New Jersey, before recently moving to New York City, where she briefly stayed in the city’s homeless shelter system.
Q: How safe is the NYC subway system in 2024?
A: While major crimes on the NYC subway decreased through November 2024, the system experienced an increase in fatalities, rising from five to nine killings. The subway system served over 1 billion riders throughout the year.
Q: What is being done to protect homeless individuals in the subway system?
A: The Department of Social Services announced enhanced outreach efforts to reach and assist homeless individuals on streets and subways, encouraging them to use shelter services. This announcement came after Kawam’s death during freezing temperatures when the subway served as an unofficial shelter.
Citations
Jennifer Peltz (December 31, 2024). Woman burned to death in New York subway is identified as 57-year-old from New Jersey. Associated Press. https://apnews.com/article/new-york-subway-burning-woman-688e2ebd46f0eb8f5c9e3430cf2b4bd5
