Police have identified the woman tragically set on fire in a New York City subway as Debrina Kawam, 57, of Toms River, New Jersey. The incident occurred on Dec. 22 when Kawam, asleep on an idle F train at Brooklyn’s Stillwell Avenue station, was attacked just before 7:30 a.m. The assailant fled the scene.

Initially reported as 61 years old, police later corrected her age. Mayor Eric Adams expressed condolences during a news conference, calling the incident “horrific” and noting Kawam’s brief experience in the city’s homeless shelter system. Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez highlighted the deep loss felt by Kawam’s family, emphasizing the humanity of those experiencing homelessness.

Sebastian Zapeta-Calil, charged with setting a woman ablaze on a New York City subway train, made a court appearance on December 24.

A vigil for Kawam took place at the Stillwell Avenue station last Thursday.

Sebastian Zapeta-Calil, 33, was arrested the same day of the attack after police spotted him on body camera footage. Alert subway riders called 911 when they recognized him, leading to his apprehension. He faces four counts of murder and one count of arson, including a first-degree murder charge that could result in life without parole.

The Guatemalan citizen, previously deported and in the U.S. unlawfully, remains in custody following his court appearance.