Woman Killed After Being Set on Fire in N.Y.C. Subway Car Identified

Authorities in New York City have identified the woman who was killed when a man allegedly set her on fire in a subway car over the weekend.

The victim has been identified as 61-year-old Debrina Kawam, NYPD confirms with PEOPLE.

Kawam is a resident of Toms River, N.J., per police.

NYPD did not comment on whether the woman was homeless. An address provided by NYPD for the woman appears to be an independent home which was sold earlier this year.

Sebastian Zapeta, 33, has been charged with murder in the killing, the NYPD previously told PEOPLE.

The victim was on a train in Brooklyn on Sunday, Dec. 22, when the suspect allegedly attacked her, New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said this week at a press conference.

Tisch said the train was pulling into a station when the suspect “calmly walked up to the victim" who was sitting in a corner in the subway car.

He allegedly used what authorities believe was a lighter to set fire to the victim’s clothing which was then “fully engulfed in flames in a matter of seconds,” Tisch said.

NYPD Chief of Transit Joseph M. Gulotta said at the press conference that the woman was sitting "motionless" when the suspect approached her, and there was no interaction between the two prior to the attack.

The suspect also allegedly sat by on a bench as responding officers, unaware of who he was, tried to help the victim in the car, Tisch said.

Related: Man Arrested for Setting Woman on Fire in 'Brutal, Senseless Homicide' Inside N.Y.C. Subway Car

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Zapata has been charged with first-degree murder, second-degree murder and first-degree arson, NYPD confirms with PEOPLE.

It wasn't immediately clear if he has entered a plea or retained an attorney to speak on his behalf.

Read the original article on People