NYC Subway Fire Victim Misidentified in Viral AI Hoax

A woman was burned to death on a subway train, but false claims about her identity have spread widely online.

A woman was fatally set on fire early December 22 on an F train in Brooklyn; her identity has not yet been disclosed by authorities.
The suspect, Sebastian Zapeta, a Guatemalan citizen who reentered the U.S. illegally after deportation, has been charged with first-degree murder and arson.
A viral post on X falsely identified the victim as 'Amelia Carter,' using an AI-generated image and fabricated backstory, which has been debunked by community notes and news outlets.
The incident has reignited public concerns over subway safety, with homicides in NYC's transit system doubling compared to the same period last year despite overall crime declining slightly.
Outrage has grown over a video showing an alleged NYPD officer walking past the burning victim, raising questions about police response and accountability.