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NJ Woman Fatally Set on Fire on NYC Subway; Suspect Indicted for Murder

JerseyTalks Staff1 min read893 views
NJ Woman Fatally Set on Fire on NYC Subway; Suspect Indicted for Murder

What happened

A 57-year-old woman from Toms River, New Jersey, who was fatally set on fire in a New York City subway has been identified as Debrina Kawam, police confirmed Tuesday. Kawam was asleep on an idle F train at Brooklyn’s Stillwell Avenue station on Dec.

Where it happened

  • Toms River, New Jersey.

A 57-year-old woman from Toms River, New Jersey, who was fatally set on fire in a New York City subway has been identified as Debrina Kawam, police confirmed Tuesday.

Kawam was asleep on an idle F train at Brooklyn’s Stillwell Avenue station on Dec. 22 around 7:30 a.m. when a man set her on fire and fled, according to the NYPD. A vigil was held for her on Thursday.

Sebastian Zapeta-Calil, 33, a Guatemalan citizen, was arrested the same day after being captured on police body camera footage. Subway riders later recognized him and called 911, leading to his arrest.

Zapeta-Calil was indicted Friday on four counts of murder and one count of arson, including charges of first-degree murder, second-degree murder, and first-degree arson, the Brooklyn District Attorney’s office announced.

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