NY - Female passenger died after being set on fire by man on subway - NYC - December 22, 2024

[Caring1]

I believe this is the unidentified female’s case just added to NamUs.

The National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs)

By bringing people, information, forensic science and technology together, NamUs helps resolve cases.

www.namus.gov

 

[Teignmouth 22]

I believe this is the unidentified female’s case just added to NamUs.

The National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs)

By bringing people, information, forensic science and technology together, NamUs helps resolve cases.

www.namus.gov

Thanks for adding the link, which would seem to indicate that sadly they have no idea who she is. As discussed previously, I do hope they find something on CCTV they can use, and more information about the pink tote bag might also be useful.

 

[Sundog]

I believe this is the unidentified female’s case just added to NamUs.

The National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs)

By bringing people, information, forensic science and technology together, NamUs helps resolve cases.

www.namus.gov

Thank you so much for posting this.

She was likely younger than 60 but older than 30.
She had brown hair, and a pink tote bag was found near her body.

NAMUS
Case # K24-38097

 

[Fika]

After seeing NamUs Im surprised they were able to determine hair colour considering that the she was not recognisable including ethnicity ( per namus) I would assume that hair would burn rather fast.
She was younger than I expected with estimated no older than 60.

 

[jjenny]

I believe this is the unidentified female’s case just added to NamUs.

The National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs)

By bringing people, information, forensic science and technology together, NamUs helps resolve cases.

www.namus.gov

Looks like it. Looks that she was burned so badly, that there is very little information they can provide.

 

[jjenny]

After seeing NamUs Im surprised they were able to determine hair colour considering that the she was not recognisable including ethnicity ( per namus) I would assume that hair would burn rather fast.
She was younger than I expected with estimated no older than 60.

Maybe they found some hair strains on the pink bag that didn't burn (or inside it on hair brush?), or the bench on which she was sitting prior to being burned?

 

[Sundog]

Vigil held for woman set on fire in NYC subway as identity remains a mystery

A vigil was held Thursday for the woman set on fire on a Brooklyn subway last weekend, a public memorial for the still nameless victim in a case that rocked the nation due to its cruelty. Community leaders planned to hold a late-afternoon prayer vigil at the Stillwell Avenue station in Coney...

www.nbcnewyork.com

A vigil was held Thursday for the woman set on fire on a Brooklyn subway last weekend, a public memorial for the still nameless victim in a case that rocked the nation due to its cruelty.

Community leaders planned to hold a late-afternoon prayer vigil at the Stillwell Avenue station in Coney Island, where the woman was sleeping on an F train Sunday when a man allegedly lit her ablaze and then watched as she burned.

 

[Sundog]

The NAMUS information gives us some way to think concretely about the victim. We now know that she has brown hair and carried a pink tote bag.
I hope that pink tote bags will show up in communities across the nation with people filling them with food and other essentials and taking them to their food bank and/or homeless shelters in their communities, in memory of the victim.

Perhaps soon we will know more and NAMUS will be updated as the Medical Examiner's Office continues to investigate this dreadful crime.

In the mean time, taking a photo of the pink tote bag to the various homeless services organizations nearby may help jog someone's memories. Perhaps a staff member or volunteer who works there.

 

[Sundog]

Vigil honors woman burned to death on NYC subway train

A vigil was held for the woman who was burned to death inside a NYC subway train.

www.fox5ny.com

More on the vigil that was held in honor of the woman on the subway train.

The reporter says that they were told that DNA testing was done.

 

[Hochman]

I've created a thread for the victim.

NY Thread 'NY - Brooklyn, WhtFem 30-60, UP135543, Set on fire on F train, Brown hair, Pink tote bag, Possibly homeless, *SUSPECT INDICTED*, Dec'24'

Dec 27, 2024

The National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs)

By bringing people, information, forensic science and technology together, NamUs helps resolve cases.

www.namus.gov

Man accused of fatally burning woman on NYC subway indicted for murder and arson, Brooklyn DA says

A grand jury indicted Sebastian Zapeta, the man accused of setting a woman on fire on the subway, Brooklyn DA Eric Gonzalez announced.

www.cbsnews.com

"Found deceased on a F train at Coney Island - Stillwell Avenue station."

"Gonzalez said officials are still working on identifying the victim, but believe she may have been homeless. "Her body was badly burned, and so advanced fingerprinting efforts are being made, as well as advanced DNA evidence to identify her. We have made some progress in that area, but I'm not at liberty to get into specifics now," Gonzalez said. "...

• Hochman
• Replies: 17
• Forum: The Unidentified

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[cocomod]

I believe this is the unidentified female’s case just added to NamUs.

The National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs)

By bringing people, information, forensic science and technology together, NamUs helps resolve cases.

www.namus.gov

Thank you for adding this. Of interest: Evidence of a previous gastric bypass surgery

I think someone will know this woman. I sincerely hope we get a picture from surveillance before she was set on fire soon.

 

[Sundog]

Thank you for adding this. Of interest: Evidence of a previous gastric bypass surgery

I think someone will know this woman. I sincerely hope we get a picture from surveillance before she was set on fire soon.

So looks like they've made some updates to NAMUS, as you noted, evidence of a previous gastric bypass surgery.

Also, evidence of previous dental work.
Hair color is now stated as gray with some blonde and brown mixture. Height is listed as 5 feet 4 inches, and weight is listed as 197 lbs.
Also Caucasian with blue eyes.

All this will help with efforts to identify her.

 

[Rosydecember]

Gray and blonde/brown hair….. blue eyes.

Interesting: Evidence of a previous gastric bypass surgery

Not sure how common that surgery is though

 

[jjenny]

Gray and blonde/brown hair….. blue eyes.

Interesting: Evidence of a previous gastric bypass surgery

Not sure how common that surgery is though

Not very common. At some point she either had money or good health insurance, because those surgeries aren't always covered by health insurance and are not cheap.

 

[jjenny]

Gastric bypass surgeries are pretty expensive. That suggests she had fallen on hard times some time before her murder, if she was indeed homeless (which it certainly appears to be).

"The average cost of gastric bypass surgery is between $15,000 and $35,000, with $23,000 being the most quoted price.5"

Gastric Bypass Surgery: How it Works, Costs, and What to Expect

This gastric bypass surgery guide provides an overview of the procedure, costs, recovery, diets, expected results, and other common concerns from patients.

www.carecredit.com

 

[Sundog]

Gray and blonde/brown hair….. blue eyes.

Interesting: Evidence of a previous gastric bypass surgery

Not sure how common that surgery is though

We don't know if she's local, but if this surgery is not that common, then maybe they can check hospitals in the area for patients who have had gastric bypass surgery in her age group (female and between 30 and 60) in the last 10 years or so - if the Medical Examiner's Office can get hospital records with HIPPA.

ETA: Of course, she may not have had the surgery in NY, she could be from somewhere else in the U.S. On the other hand, that information might job the memory of a relative, friend or someone else who has known her.

 

[jjenny]

Gray and blonde/brown hair….. blue eyes.

Interesting: Evidence of a previous gastric bypass surgery

Not sure how common that surgery is though

I think they are getting eye color information from her DNA. They can even generate a portrait of her from her DNA.

 

[annemc2]

Gastric bypass surgeries are pretty expensive. That suggests she had fallen on hard times some time before her murder, if she was indeed homeless (which it certainly appears to be).

"The average cost of gastric bypass surgery is between $15,000 and $35,000, with $23,000 being the most quoted price.5"

Gastric Bypass Surgery: How it Works, Costs, and What to Expect

This gastric bypass surgery guide provides an overview of the procedure, costs, recovery, diets, expected results, and other common concerns from patients.

www.carecredit.com

If you get them in the US, you can also expect to pay for extensive services in order to qualify for the surgery itself. At least six months of trying to lose weight (medically-supported), nutritionist appointments, psychotherapy and more. So she had relatively long-term relationships with multiple healthcare providers and decent insurance if she had it done in the US.

 

[Arkay]

Not very common. At some point she either had money or good health insurance, because those surgeries aren't always covered by health insurance and are not cheap.

I have two friends who had that surgery together, but as NYC teachers they were covered as “medically necessary due to morbid obesity.”

One recovered well, but the other died in the recovery room.

This victim having had this surgery would suggest, I agree, that at one time she was gainfully employed with good insurance.

The details that are emerging are IMO a testament to the skill of those who are able to determine these from her DNA, or perhaps some features are still visibly discernible?

Five long days with nobody calling in a missing friend or loved one??? Could be homeless, which seems most likely, or could be estranged from family, or could be from out of town and her loved ones don’t realize she’s gone.

IMO

 

[Fika]

If you get them in the US, you can also expect to pay for extensive services in order to qualify for the surgery itself. At least six months of trying to lose weight (medically-supported), nutritionist appointments, psychotherapy and more. So she had relatively long-term relationships with multiple healthcare providers and decent insurance if she had it done in the US.

Yes exactly. I can’t say for the US as I am in Europe but a acquaintance of mine has gastric bypass and it took a lot of appointments and medical care like dietician before she had it even done.