Police identify 57-year-old woman as the victim of NYC fatal subway burning

The woman who was killed when a man intentionally set fire to her while she was sleeping on a New York City subway train earlier this month has been identified as Debrina Kawam, police said.

The woman who was killed when a man intentionally set fire to her while she was sleeping on a New York City subway train earlier this month has been identified as Debrina Kawam, police said. The 57-year-old woman resided in New Jersey, the New York Police Department told CNN. Police initially said Kawam was 61. The New York City Office of the Medical Examiner determined the woman died by homicide caused by thermal injuries and smoke inhalation, according to a complaint filed in Brooklyn Criminal Court. Sebastian Zapeta-Calil, a 33-year-old undocumented migrant accused of killing Kawam, was indicted Friday on charges of first- and second-degree murder and arson. He has yet to enter a plea and is due to be arraigned January 7. During his initial court appearance, Zapeta-Calil claimed to have no knowledge of the incident, noting his alcohol consumption. Zapeta-Calil did identify himself in photos related to the attack, said Assistant District Attorney Ari Rottenberg. CNN has reached out to Zapeta-Calil’s attorney for comment.