NYC Police Identify Woman Murdered in Chilling Subway Attack**

The victim, Debrina Kawam, 57, was identified a week after a brutal attack on December 22. The accused, Sebastian Zapeta, faces multiple charges while highlighting ongoing safety concerns in the city's subway system.**

The tragedy unfolded on December 22 when Debrina Kawam, a 57-year-old woman from New Jersey, was set on fire while asleep on a subway train in Brooklyn. It took over a week for authorities to identify her due to the severity of her injuries. The alleged attacker, 33-year-old Sebastian Zapeta, is charged with multiple counts of murder and arson after reportedly igniting the flames with a lighter and exacerbating the fire with a shirt, all while observing from a nearby bench.

The Office of Chief Medical Examiner ruled Ms. Kawam's death a homicide, confirming her identity through fingerprint analysis. New York City's Mayor, Eric Adams, expressed his sorrow, noting that Ms. Kawam had recently utilized a city homeless shelter and reiterated the need for better care facilities for vulnerable individuals. Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez emphasized the urgency of identifying the victim to inform her family, as misinformation, including an AI-generated image, spread online after the incident.

According to police, the assault occurred at Coney Island-Stillwell Avenue Station, with Ms. Kawam reportedly motionless and asleep when the attack took place. New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch characterized the incident as one of the most heinous acts imaginable against another person. The suspect, originally from Guatemala, had previously been deported from the U.S. and had re-entered the country unlawfully.

Currently facing legal proceedings, Zapeta claims to have no recollection of the attack due to his state of intoxication but recognizes himself from surveillance footage. He is expected back in court on January 7. This harrowing attack adds to ongoing concerns about safety on New York City's subway system, which experienced a recent spate of violent incidents, including another situation where an individual was pushed onto the tracks in Manhattan. As worries escalate among commuters, officials are grappling with how to enhance safety on America’s largest mass transit system.