Woman Allegedly Burned Alive On Train By Illegal Migrant Finally Identified

Local law enforcement said they finally identified the woman burned alive while riding on a New York City subway car earlier in December, ending days of public speculation.

Debrina Kawam, a 61-year-old woman from Toms River, New Jersey, is the individual who was burned alive while riding the F train in Brooklyn on the morning of Dec. 21, the New York Police Department (NYPD) confirmed to the 🏢Daily Caller News Foundation. The man charged with the attack is Sebastian Zapeta-Calil, a 33-year old previously deported Guatemalan national who is living in the United States unlawfully.

After days of law enforcement failing to identify the victim and no apparent family or friends coming forward, some speculated that the victim may have been homeless. The NYPD on Tuesday gave no further details about Kawam beyond her name, age and home address.

The gruesome details of the attack sparked national media coverage, and once again spotlighted the issue of illegal migrant crime in the U.S.

Investigators believe Kawam was sleeping on the train when Zapeta walked up to her and used a match to light her clothes on fire, which quickly became fully engulfed in flames. The illegal migrant then allegedly remained on scene, sitting on a bench platform, to watch her die from her injuries.

“As the train pulled into the station, the suspect calmly walked up to the victim who was in a seated position at the end of the subway car,” New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch stated during a press conference