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.

New York officials have identified the 57-year-old woman who was burned alive inside a subway car in December to be Debrina Kawam, a New Jersey resident.

The "person of interest" was taken into custody hours after the attack while riding another train, according to NYPD Transit Chief Joseph Gulotta.

The suspect charged in the death of a woman who was set on fire Sunday inside a Brooklyn subway train made an initial court appearance Tuesday and will remain in custody.

NYPD commissioner Jessica Tisch described the case as "one of the most depraved crimes one person could possibly commit against another human being."

A woman who died after being set on fire on a New York City subway train this month was identified, according to police.

The woman who was killed when a man intentionally set fire to her while she was sleeping on a New York City subway train earlier this month has been identified as Debrina Kawam, police said.