A girl who died after being set on hearth on the New York Metropolis subway earlier this month was recognized as Debrina Kawam, 57, of Toms River, New Jersey, the New York medical expert’s workplace stated on Tuesday.
Kawam was recognized by means of fingerprint evaluation and her demise from thermal and inhalation accidents was dominated a murder, stated Julie Bolcer, a spokeswoman for the Workplace of Chief Medical Examiner.
New York Metropolis Mayor Eric Adams stated Kawam “had a short stint in our homeless shelter system,” with out giving additional particulars.
Sebastian Zapeta, a 33-year-old Guatemalan citizen, was charged with homicide and arson after allegedly lighting Kawam on hearth and watching her burn to demise at a subway station.
Zapeta was arrested about six hours after police say he used a lighter to ignite the garments of Kawam who seemed to be dozing on a stationary F prepare on the Coney Island-Stillwell Avenue cease in Brooklyn.
The suspect entered the U.S. with out authorization in 2018 and was deported to Guatemala a couple of days later. It was unclear when he unlawfully re-entered, the U.S. Division of Homeland Safety stated.
There appeared to have been no prior interplay between the assailant, a Brooklyn man, and Kawam, police have stated.
The Division of Homeland Safety assertion stated it will pursue elimination proceedings once more at any time when Zapeta is launched from New York custody, which might embrace a prolonged jail sentence if he’s convicted.
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