On the night of August 22, 23-year-old Iryna Zarutska was brutally stabbed in Charlotte, North Carolina, while traveling on the city’s Lynx Blue Line train service. She was a Ukrainian refugee who fled the country to the United States due to the war against Russia.
According to People.com, Zarutska was described as “ambitious” and “caring.” Her uncle, who would like to remain anonymous, says that her determination and charm stood out. She was hard-working and loved animals deeply. She dreamt of becoming a veterinary assistant. While attending community college to improve her English, she had additionally been learning how to drive.
According to Nypost.com, “Suspect 34-year-old DeCarlos Brown Jr. had been arrested as the killer in the stabbing.” CNN.com states that Brown had a history of mental illness and crime, including armed robbery, felony larceny, and breaking and entering. He had paranoid delusions for years and had been diagnosed with schizophrenia a few years back.
“Brown and Zarutska had never communicated or even met one another before this night,” says CNN.com. The only motive Brown could’ve had to murder Zarutska was that he thought she was “reading his mind.”
Decarlos Dejuan Brown Jr had been arrested 14 times previously to the killing, dating back to the early years of 2007. Mecklenburg County jail records state that the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department arrested Brown a total of three times between 2022 and 2024, later releasing him due to the cases being dismissed. According to wbtv.com, in January 2025, Charlotte-Mecklenburg police arrested Brown due to misuse of 911. Officers on scene stated that Brown had said someone had given him a “man-made” material that controlled when he walked, ate, and talked.“Officers advised Brown that the issue was a medical issue and that there was nothing further they could do,” the affidavit said. Brown was taken into custody but was later released 2 days later on a written promise to appear in court.
Three and a half weeks before Brown was arrested for the killing of Zarustka, Judge Roy Wiggins signed a court order stating that Brown was to get a forensic evaluation. According to wbtv.com, that was the last court order Brown got before the killing on August 22nd.
When looking at the footage, moments before the actual murder had happened, Brown appeared to be emotional, with an upset face and his head visibly rocking back and forth. Zarustka enters the bus and sits in front of Brown. Brown pulls out a pocket knife and repeatedly stabs Zarustka, striking her 3 times in the throat, causing her to bleed out and sadly pass away moments later.
Since Zarustka’s death, multiple politicians have stated that they wanted the death penalty to be brought back, including the President of the United States, Donald Trump. Judges are calling for Decarlos to undergo a psychiatric evaluation before his court hearing. Although Brown has not had an official sentencing, potential penalties he could be facing are up to life in prison or the death penalty.
It is a question that will never be answered as to why Iryna’s life was cut so short. Possibly, none of this would’ve happened if justice had been served.
