Authorities have released the identity of the sleeping woman burned to death inside a New York City subway train by a man who allegedly lit her on fire and stayed to watch the aftermath, officials said Tuesday.

NEW YORK -- A woman died after she was set on fire while sleeping on a New York City subway car Sunday morning in Brooklyn, according to police. A person of interest was taken into custody later in the day, New York Police Department Commissioner Jessica Tisch said at an early evening news conference.

In December 2024, a woman was brutally set on fire in a New York City subway. She has now been identified as 57-year-old Toms River, New Jersey, resident Debrina Kawam. As the NYPD and Mayor Eric Adams spoke to the press, they explained more details about the terrifying crime.