The American Dream Inspired Ukrainian Refugee Iryna Zarutska — Until Her Life Was Tragically Taken

The senseless killing of Iryna Zarutska has left her family shattered. This is a tragedy made all the more unbearable by the fact that they fled to the US to escape the war in Ukraine.

At just 23, Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska had begun to carve out a life in North Carolina, inspired by the possibilities of the American dream. But on August 22, that promise was cruelly ripped away when she was fatally stabbed aboard a light-rail train in Charlotte. This has led to the sudden and brutal end of a journey that had already inspired so many.

A Life Cut Short on the Way Home From Work

Zarutska was simply trying to get home from her job at a pizzeria when she met her devastating end. On the fateful date, at around 9:55 p.m., Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department officers were dispatched to the Lynx Blue Line light rail after reports of an assault.

Callers reported that a man had stabbed a woman on board the train. Officers arrived to find Zarutska unresponsive, suffering fatal stab wounds. Investigators recovered a pocketknife along with other evidence from the scene.

Security Footage Captures the Horrific Attack

Surveillance footage showed Zarutska entering the train car and sitting directly in front of the suspect, Decarlos Dejuan Brown Jr. Mere minutes later, Brown Jr. pulled a knife from his pocket and stabbed her three times before casually walking away.

Police apprehended him on the platform. The 34-year-old suspect was taken to Atrium Health with non-life-threatening injuries and later charged with first-degree murder. A judge ruled that Brown Jr. will stay in custody and undergo a mental competency evaluation.

The case quickly escalated to the federal level. A federal criminal complaint was filed in U.S. District Court in Charlotte, charging Brown with committing an act causing death on a mass transportation system. This is a federal offense punishable by life in prison or the death penalty.

A Troubled Past and a Missed Warning

Authorities say Brown Jr. has a long and troubling criminal history, including at least 14 arrests related to violent incidents. He served a five-year prison sentence for armed robbery in 2014 and was arrested again after his release for assaulting his sister.

In the months before the murder, Brown Jr.'s most recent arrest was in January, when he allegedly misused the 911 system by making false calls during a welfare check. Despite his record, he was released without bail under a written promise to appear in court.

Attorney General Pamela Bondi didn't hold back. She called Brown Jr. a repeat violent offender and stated that he "will never again see the light of day as a free man." She continued, "Iryna Zarutska was a young woman living the American dream — her horrific murder is a direct result of failed soft-on-crime policies that put criminals before innocent people."

Federal Authorities Condemn the Crime

FBI Director Kash Patel said that federal investigators acted quickly to ensure Brown Jr. would never be released to harm again.

He continued, "I want to thank Attorney General Bondi for her pursuit of today’s federal charges, which are the first step toward delivering justice for Iryna and her family – as well as the millions of Americans who deserve to live in our great American cities free from being targeted by violent criminals."

U.S. Attorney Russ Ferguson emphasized that the attack was not only a tragedy for Zarutska and her family but also a threat to all Americans who rely on public transportation.

A Promising Life Remembered

Zarutska's uncle, who requested anonymity, said she had been on her way back from Zepeddies Pizzeria when she met an untimely end. At her workplace, Zarutska had quickly advanced from an entry-level position to a line cook.

The restaurant later described her as both an "incredible employee" and a "true friend," and the owner joined others in attending her funeral.

The size of the crowd at her viewing and burial on August 27 was a testament to her impact. Her uncle noted that around 100 people from the assisted living facility where she had previously worked in Huntersville attended. '

The institution organized buses to bring residents who wanted to pay their respects. Her uncle remembered that job as one of her first after arriving in the U.S.

Fleeing a War Zone for a Future That Never Came

Zarutska had come to North Carolina in August 2022 from Kyiv, together with her mother, Anna, and younger siblings, Valeriia and Bohdan. It was her uncle who urged them to leave Ukraine after seeing images of them sheltering in a bomb bunker near their home.

He and his wife took them in when they first arrived, and the family lived under their roof until May of this year. "They didn't want to come to this country and be a burden. They wanted to come to this country to build a new life," the uncle shared.

Zarutska embodied that determination. She sought out work immediately, taking jobs babysitting and walking dogs, while also striving to learn English. Her uncle recalled her as the "glue" of the family, someone whose ambition and charm stood out.

She had formed deep connections within her community, touching the lives of people of all ages during her three years in North Carolina. "She was just a very, very caring person. She loved to help people," her uncle gushed.

Alongside her full-time job at the pizzeria, Zarutska was pursuing classes at a community college to strengthen her English skills and working toward her dream of becoming a veterinary assistant.

She had also been saving money for her first car and was preparing to take her driver's license test in the coming month. Her boyfriend, Stas Nikulytsia, had been giving her driving lessons, picking up where her uncle had started. "I tried to teach her how to drive, but I think the language barrier earlier on, it made it hard," he admitted.

In their last text exchange, she expressed her pride in having managed to buy a car and learn to drive. She also told her uncle that her first trip after getting her license would be to visit him and his wife.

The uncle said that Zarutska should be remembered for the impact she made on society and the love she had for her family. Her loved ones now face an irreplaceable loss.

A Father's Grief From Afar

Her father, Stanislav Zarutskyi, could not attend the burial, as he is of fighting age and required to remain in Ukraine while the war continues. Instead, he joined through a FaceTime call, weeping with her mother during the service.

Although the Ukrainian embassy offered to repatriate her remains, the family chose to have her buried in North Carolina. Her uncle considered that choice a profound testament to how she had fallen "so much in love with the American dream."

A Portrait of Iryna Zarutska

A neighbor of Zarutska's family in Charlotte noted that her family was struggling deeply with her demise. The neighbor remembered her as a kind young woman who was cherished by everyone in the neighborhood. She often helped with pet sitting and left a lasting impression as a gentle, caring presence.

Her obituary also describes her as a talented and passionate artist who graduated from Synergy College in Kyiv with a degree in Art and Restoration. She poured her creativity into everything she did, often sharing her work as gifts with family and friends.

Zarutska especially loved sculpting and designing eclectic, one-of-a-kind clothing pieces that captured her vibrant personality. Her love for animals was another defining part of her life. She frequently cared for pets in her neighborhood, and many recalled seeing her with a bright smile as she walked them.

The obituary continues, "Though she enjoyed adventures, sightseeing, and exploring new places with her close friends, Iryna was also a homebody at heart, happiest when surrounded by family and loved ones."

Her mother fondly remembered how she could sleep for long stretches, a trait she affectionately called her daughter's "artist's gift."

The obituary concludes, "Iryna will be remembered for her kindness, her creativity, and the lasting impression she left on everyone she met. Her absence leaves a deep void, but her spirit will forever remain in the hearts of those who loved her."

Zarutska is survived by her parents, Anna and Stanislav, her siblings Valeriia and Bohdan, her partner Nikulytsia, and other friends and relatives who continue to grieve her absence.

Police have said the investigation into her death remains active and ongoing. Detective Buhr is leading the case, and the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department is urging anyone with information to contact their Homicide Unit.