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Debrina Kawam, 57, identified as woman burned to death 'by migrant' on NYC subway as NYPD shares horrifying new detail
Daily Mail UK ^ | December 31, 2024 | Will Potter

Posted on 01/01/2025 2:13:57 AM PST by Morgana

The woman who was set on fire and burned to death on a New York City subway car has been identified as Debrina Kawam of New Jersey.

Shocking footage stunned the Big Apple as Kawam, 57, was seen engulfed in flames in horror scenes on the train near Coney Island on December 22.

She was allegedly set on fire by illegal immigrant Sebastian Zepeta, who cops say used a lighter before fanning the flames with his shirt.

Zepeta, 33, is facing murder and arson charges following the horror incident.

Officials used fingerprint data, dental records and DNA evidence to identify Kawam, and said she was believed to have been homeless. She was originally from Tom's River, New Jersey.

Kawam was reportedly sleeping on the subway car around 7:30am at the Coney Island-Stillwell Avenue station in Brooklyn when she was set ablaze.

The footage of the moments after Kawam was set on fire went viral as it showed an NYPD officer walking past the fire while a man, allegedly Zepeta, watched on.

NYPD Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch told a press conference that officers who responded were not aware the suspect was on the scene at the time.

Hours after the shocking death, the NYPD released images of the suspect, showing him watching his victim burning to death before he casually walks away from the scene.

Zapeta eventually boarded the F line again later in the day, and he was arrested on the subway after he was flagged by high schoolers whop recognized him from the police images.

NYPD officers alerted MTA, who stopped the train eight stops north from the sighting at Herald Square in Midtown Manhattan. Cops boarded the subway and detained Zapeta as he sat in a busy carriage, as caught in dramatic videos shared online.

(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...


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To: Ann Archy

Cop that walked by should be indicted as an accomplice.


21 posted on 01/01/2025 6:51:23 AM PST by chopperk (airhig)
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To: EvilCapitalist

We should probably strive to keep Britons out of the New York City subways.


22 posted on 01/01/2025 7:04:25 AM PST by GingisK
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To: logi_cal869

We really need to bring back Old Sparky and make the death penalty something to be FEARED.


23 posted on 01/01/2025 8:12:29 AM PST by jimbug
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To: jimbug

Couldn’t agree more.

The smoke coming from under the hood...yeah.

Satisfying.

Or hanging.


24 posted on 01/01/2025 8:20:38 AM PST by logi_cal869 (-cynicus the "concern troll" a/o 10/03/2018 /!i!! &@$%&*(@ -)
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To: Biblebelter

100% evil is territorial.


25 posted on 01/01/2025 8:46:21 AM PST by Boardwalk
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