Tragedy has a way of reshaping worlds in an instant. For the family of Iryna Zarutska, the brutal stabbing that stole her life on a Charlotte light rail on August 22, 2025, didn’t just mark a personal loss; it exposed painful fractures in the systems meant to protect the most vulnerable. As the story of this 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee captivated international attention, the quiet strength and profound grief of her parents, siblings, and extended family emerged as a powerful counterpoint to the political noise surrounding her death.
Iryna’s journey to America was a family endeavor, a collective leap toward safety and renewal. She arrived in Charlotte in 2022 alongside her mother, Anna Zarutska, her sister, and her brother, leaving behind their home in Kyiv and the relentless shadow of war. Her father, Stanislav Zarutskyi, remained in Ukraine, bound by martial law regulations that prohibited men of fighting age from departing the country. This separation, painful yet necessary, meant that the family’s rebuilding in the U.S. was tinged with the ache of his absence, a void that would deepen unimaginably in the wake of Iryna’s death.
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A Family Forged by War and Hope
Iryna Zarutska’s mom, Anna Zarutska, has been the emotional anchor of the family throughout their ordeal. Described as deeply devoted to her children, Anna nurtured Iryna’s artistic talents and encouraged her dreams of becoming a veterinary assistant. In the days following the murder, Anna was utterly distraught, struggling to cope with the horrific nature of her daughter’s death. She has remained largely out of public view, grieving privately while supported by her other children and relatives. Family members recall Anna often joking about Iryna’s “artist’s gift”—her ability to sleep for long, restful stretches—a bittersweet memory that now underscores their loss.
The family’s resilience had already been tested by the war in Ukraine. Their decision to relocate was not made lightly, but Iryna embraced their new life with determination. She quickly learned English, enrolled in community college classes, and became a beloved employee at Zepeddie’s Pizzeria, where her coworkers remember her as someone with “a heart of gold”. At home, she was a unifying presence, a gifted artist who created works for loved ones and a compassionate animal lover who often cared for neighbors’ pets.
The press ignored the case, but we have more power than the press. We need to share it until everyone knows her name and the case is not forgotten – Iryna Zarutska.
RIP#IrynaZarutska pic.twitter.com/Gn2YtTAftp
— Sofia Afonso Ferreira (@sofiafonsoferre) September 10, 2025
Tragically, the same legal restrictions that kept dad Stanislav in Ukraine also prevented him from attending his daughter’s funeral. A neighbor of the family in Charlotte confirmed that he “had to stay back” due to wartime rules, a heartbreaking coda to the family’s unimaginable loss. Though recent changes to Ukrainian law now allow men aged 18 to 22 to cross borders freely, these updates came too late for Stanislav to pay his final respects in person. His absence was deeply felt during the funeral held in North Carolina on August 27, a service that underscored the family’s fractured reality.
A Legacy of Love and a Demand for Change
In the wake of Iryna Zarutska’s death, her family has shown remarkable fortitude, channeling their grief into advocacy. Through their attorney, they released a statement describing Iryna as a “kind and hardworking young woman, deeply loved by her family and friends,” and emphasizing that she had come to America seeking peace and safety. They are demanding not only justice for Iryna but also systemic reforms to prevent similar tragedies. Their focus includes pressing for improved security on public transportation and stronger mental health interventions.
The family’s grief has been compounded by the viral circulation of the attack’s graphic video footage. They have pleaded with the public and media to respect Iryna’s dignity by not sharing the video, emphasizing the need to remember her life rather than the brutality of her death. Despite offers from the Ukrainian embassy to repatriate her body, the family chose to bury Iryna in the United States, noting that she “loved America” and had embraced it as her home.
As the legal proceedings against the accused, Decarlos Brown Jr., move forward, now including federal charges that could bring the death penalty, the Zarutska family’s courage continues to resonate. Their loss is a stark reminder of the human cost of systemic failures, but their response has been one of clarity and purpose: to ensure Iryna Zarutska’s legacy sparks meaningful change and that no other family endures a similar nightmare.
