Boyfriend of Ukrainian woman killed on Charlotte train demands justice after judge released suspect
23-year-old refugee Iryna Zarutska was fatally stabbed on her way home; outrage grows over court’s decision to free repeat offender accused of murder
Iryna Zarutska, a 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee, was stabbed to death on a Charlotte train after fleeing war in her home country. The suspect, a man with a long criminal history, had been released from jail months earlier despite repeated arrests.
On August 22, Zarutska texted her boyfriend, Stanislav “Stas” Nikulytsia, that she would “be home soon.” Minutes later, her life was violently cut short.
Police say 34-year-old Decarlos Brown Jr. attacked her without provocation while she was riding the light rail in Charlotte. She died at the scene.
Brown, later arrested and charged with first-degree murder, claimed his actions were caused by “materials” inside his body. His family has described him as mentally unstable.
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Zarutska came to North Carolina in 2022 with her mother, brother, and sister, fleeing Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. In Charlotte, she worked full-time at a pizzeria and attended community college to improve her English.
“She was a kind and hardworking young woman, deeply loved by her family and friends,” the family’s attorney said.
In a statement, her relatives wrote: “Iryna came here to find peace and safety, and instead her life was stolen in the most horrific way.”
Boyfriend’s grief turns to anger
Nikulytsia, who had been living with Zarutska for the past year, arrived at the station that night only to learn she was gone.
Days later, he broke his silence by posting a photo of the two together, marked only with a broken heart emoji. Since then, he has shared posts condemning Magistrate Judge Teresa Stokes, the official who released Brown earlier this year on a written promise to return to court.
North Carolina House Speaker Tim Moore also criticized the decision, calling the justice system’s failure “unacceptable” and demanding Judge Stokes be removed from the bench.
Court records show Brown had been arrested 14 times before Zarutska’s killing. His mother had previously tried to have him committed to a psychiatric hospital due to violent behavior, and his sister described him as paranoid and delusional.
Despite this, Judge Stokes freed him in January on cashless bail.
Zarutska’s dream was simple: a future without violence. Instead, her life ended on a train ride home.
“That night, she texted her boyfriend she would be home soon,” the family’s attorney said. “Tragically, her journey ended in violence.”
