Ukrainian woman escaping war in Ukraine murdered at tram station in Charlotte
In the city of Charlotte, USA, a 23-year-old Ukrainian woman was killed (screenshot from video: facebook.com/WCNCtv).
In the city of Charlotte (North Carolina), 23-year-old Ukrainian citizen Iryna Zarutska was brutally murdered. She had recently moved to the United States, escaping the full-scale war in her home country.
More details about the circumstances of the tragedy, the suspect, and the farewell to the deceased girl can be found in the RBC-Ukraine report below.
What is known about the murder of the Ukrainian woman
According to the local publication The Charlotte Observer, Iryna's body was found on Friday at the South End tram station in the city of Charlotte, USA.
At the same time, law enforcement clarified that the 23-year-old Ukrainian woman was found dead on August 22 at 9:55 p.m. at 1821 Camden Road.
Crime scene (screenshot from video: facebook.com/WCNCtv)
The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department reported that stab wounds were discovered on the girl's body, and the medics who arrived at the crime scene could only confirm her death.
Friends of the deceased said that Iryna had only recently moved to Charlotte to save her life from the hostilities in Ukraine.
Ukrainian woman Iryna Zarutska (photo: facebook.com/iryna.zarutska)
Who is suspected of committing the crime
Some time after the crime was discovered, local media reported that police had detained a suspect in the murder — 34-year-old DeCarlos Brown.
Police clarified that he had been hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries (though they did not specify how exactly the man was wounded).
It is expected that after being discharged from the hospital, Brown will be arrested and formally charged with murder.
At the same time, law enforcement has not disclosed whether Zarutska knew the suspect, or what might have motivated the man to attack the girl with a knife.
Anyone who has any information regarding the attack is asked to contact the homicide unit.
Meanwhile, WSOC-TV journalist Joe Bruno said on his social network X that DeCarlos Brown had had legal troubles before and was homeless.
According to him, in January 2025 the man was arrested for misuse of the 911 system. At that time, Judge Teresa Stokes allowed him to be released from jail without paying any amount — under a written promise to appear (when summoned).
DeCarlos Brown (photo: x.com/JoeBrunoWSOC9)
Where and when the farewell for the deceased will take place
Relatives of the deceased created a page on the GoFundMe platform — in memory of Iryna — and are raising funds to support her family.
"Ira had recently arrived in the United States, seeking safety from the war and hoping for a new beginning. Tragically, her life was cut short far too soon," the publication emphasizes.
It is noted that any help — whether a donation or sharing this page — "will mean so much to the family".
According to information published on the page, the farewell for the deceased Ukrainian woman will take place in the city of Huntersville (North Carolina, USA) on Wednesday, August 27.
The farewell for Iryna Zarutska is scheduled for August 27 (illustration: gofundme.com)
In addition, we reported that in a hotel in the city of Krakow, Poland, the bodies of two men were found. One of the deceased turned out to be a citizen of Ukraine who had lived in that room for the past two years.
Also read what is known about the fatal road accident in Slovenia involving a minibus with Ukrainians.
Sources: The Charlotte Observer, the Facebook pages of Iryna Zarutska and WCNC Charlotte, the social media page of Joe Bruno (@JoeBrunoWSOC9) on X, GoFundMe.com.
