Published on: Sept 10, 2025 07:32 am IST
The family of Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska, who was killed on a Charlotte light rail train by Decarlos Brown Jr., has spoken out days after her death.
The family of 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska, who was stabbed to death on a Charlotte light rail train by Decarlos Brown Jr., has spoken out days after her death. The 34-year-old career criminal ambushed Zarutska on the Lynx Blue Line just before 10 pm on August 22, as seen in surveillance footage.
“We are heartbroken beyond words. Iryna came here to find peace and safety, and instead her life was stolen from her in the most horrific way,” a family spokesperson said in the statement issued by lawyers and obtained by WSOC-9. “No family should have to go through this.”
Zarutska’s relatives demanded that Brown be locked, and also stressed the need to address the “broader crisis in public safety and systemic failure.” The relatives are urging the media and public to respect Zarutska’s dignity by not reposting the graphic video of her murder.
