Who was Debrina Kawam: From a Modest Apartment in Atlantic to Homeless in New York

Portrait of Debrina Kawam (on X) from 1985 High School Yearbook

Debrina Kawam: First Portrait Photos

The first portraits of Debrina Kawam, a 57-year-old homeless woman from New Jersey, were shared on several social media platforms. However, the photo of Debrina Kawam has yet to be officially released by the New York Police Department.

New York police have identified Debrina Kawam, 57, as the victim of a horrific murder early Sunday, Dec. 22. Kawam, a homeless woman originally from New Jersey, was reportedly sleeping on an F train at Coney Island when she was allegedly set on fire with a lighter by a man who then used a shirt to fan the flames.

The case has sparked political controversy after the suspect, 33-year-old Sebastian Zapeta-Calil, was revealed to be an undocumented immigrant from Guatemala. Zapeta-Calil had previously been deported in 2018 after illegally crossing the U.S.-Mexico border. Tom Homan, the incoming border czar for President-elect Donald Trump, labeled the incident a “shame” for New York City and state, using it to bolster Republican claims of widespread violence by undocumented immigrants. “It’s almost a daily occurrence now,”

Kawam’s identification was delayed due to the severity of her injuries, with police and medical examiners ultimately confirming her identity through fingerprint analysis.

Her tragic death highlights a long battle with homelessness and financial hardship, according to public records and New York officials.

Mayor Eric Adams commented on the shocking nature of the crime: “Watching that tape, I couldn’t even finish it. It’s a devastating incident that profoundly affects how New Yorkers feel,” he said earlier this week. “This tragedy reinforces the need for people to be in safe, caring environments—not living in our subway system. Regardless of where she lived, this should never have happened.”

Kawam was last seen alive on the F train at the Coney Island terminus, surrounded by her belongings and a walker. Disturbing surveillance footage shows the alleged suspect—also homeless—sitting on a bench and watching as Kawam became engulfed in flames. Police do not believe the two knew each other.

Learn more: Who was Debrina Kawam from New Jersey? Woman Burned to Death on NYC Subway

Debrina Kawam: From a Modest Apartment in Atlantic City to Homeless in New York City

Debrina Kawam from Toms River, New Jersey, id as woman fatally set on fire on NYC Subway

Authorities revealed that Kawam had been living in New York City homeless shelters since early September, with her last recorded stay being in the Bronx on Dec. 2, just 20 days before her death.

Kawam’s last known permanent residence was in Toms River, New Jersey, about 70 miles from New York City.

In 2020, she had been living in a modest apartment in Atlantic City, New Jersey, and struggled with financial instability for decades. Public records indicate that she had debts dating back to the 1990s and filed for bankruptcy in 2008, citing more than $100,000 in liabilities and an inability to work due to illness. She faced legal issues over unpaid rent in Toms River in 2016 and had a disorderly conduct arrest in Maryland in 2010.

She has no criminal history in New York City but had been arrested nine times in Atlantic City between Sept. 18, 2017, and Nov. 6, 2023, mostly for drinking in public and sleeping in the street, New Jersey records show.

She relocated to New York City shortly after her last arrest and was given a summons in April 2024, but it was not immediately disclosed what the summons was for.

Debrina Kawam: Education, Ambition

Kawam graduated from Passaic Valley Regional High School in 1985. In her yearbook, she expressed her ambition to become an airline stewardess and humorously revealed her “secret ambition” as “to party forever.”

During her freshman and sophomore years, Kawam was active as a cheerleader, and her classmates honored her unique style by voting her “most punk.”

Debrina Kawam: 'I Want to See my Mother'

The current resident of a former home of Debrina Kawam in Toms River, N.J., recounted a strange encounter with her in May, sharing the story with The Daily News. According to the resident, identified only as Olga, Kawam unexpectedly appeared at her doorstep, looking for her family—weeks after they had moved out.

“She introduced herself, saying, ‘I’m Debrina. I’m the sister. I want to see my mother,’” Olga recalled. “She seemed like an older woman, and I got the impression she might have had some mental challenges. It felt odd—how could she not know her family had already moved? Something wasn’t right.”

Olga said she invited Kawam into her home and attempted to contact her realtor to obtain a phone number for Kawam’s family. When the realtor didn’t respond, Olga asked Kawam for her own contact number to provide an update later.

“She told me she didn’t have a phone,” Olga said. “She kept repeating, ‘I need to get one. I’ve got to get one.’”

When contacted by phone on Tuesday, Kawam’s relatives declined to comment immediately, explaining that they had only just been informed by authorities of her death.

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