A woman burned to death in the New York subway identified by Reuters

By Andrew Hay

(Reuters) – A woman who died after being set on fire in a New York subway earlier this month has been identified as Debrina Kawam, 57, of Toms River, New Jersey, the medical examiner’s office said New York doctor said Tuesday.

Kawam was identified through fingerprint analysis and his death from thermal injuries and inhalation has been ruled a homicide, said Julie Bolcer, spokeswoman for the Chief’s Office. Medical (TASE:) Examiner.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams said Kawam “had a short time in our homeless shelter system,” without giving further details.

Sebastian Zapeta, a 33-year-old Guatemalan citizen, was charged with murder and arson after allegedly setting Kawam on fire and watching her burn to death in a subway station.

Zapeta was arrested about six hours after police said he used a lighter to ignite the clothes of Kawam who appeared to be sleeping on a stationary F train at the Coney Island-Stillwell Avenue stop in Brooklyn.

The suspect entered the United States without authorization in 2018 and was deported to Guatemala a few days later. It was unclear when he entered illegally, the US Department of Homeland Security said.

There did not appear to have been any prior interaction between the assailant, a Brooklyn man, and Kawam, police said.

The Department of Homeland Security statement said it will pursue removal proceedings whenever Zapeta is released from New York custody, which could include a lengthy prison term if convicted.