Sebastian Zapeta, the man accused of setting a woman on fire on the NYC subway, pleads not guilty in the death of Debrina Kawam.

The New York Police Department ( NYPD) on Tuesday announced they identified the woman who died after being set on fire while inside a New York City subway train as Debrina Kawam. Kawam, 57, had an address in Toms River, New Jersey, according to the NYPD.

In December 2024, a woman was brutally set on fire in a New York City subway. She has now been identified as 57-year-old Toms River, New Jersey, resident Debrina Kawam. As the NYPD and Mayor Eric Adams spoke to the press, they explained more details about the terrifying crime.