The boyfriend of a Ukrainian refugee who was fatally stabbed on a Charlotte light rail train has publicly shared his grief and anger, reposting surveillance clips and criticism of officials and bystanders as his partner's family demands a full investigation.
Iryna Zarutska, 23, was killed on Aug. 22 on a blue line light rail train in Charlotte, according to family statements and social media posts by her partner, identified as Stas Nikulytsia. Authorities have said the assault was carried out by DeCarlos Brown Jr., 34, whom acquaintances and online posts describe as a career criminal. Nikulytsia has used Instagram to post photographs of the couple and to amplify reels accusing nearby passengers of failing to intervene and questioning why Brown was released from custody months earlier.
Zarutska and her family fled Ukraine in August 2022, the family said. She had been living in the NoDa arts district of Charlotte with Nikulytsia after staying with relatives in Huntersville when she first arrived in the United States. On the night of Aug. 22, the family said, Zarutska texted her boyfriend to say she was heading home from a shift at Zepeddie's, a local pizzeria. When she failed to arrive, relatives tracked her phone and found it remained at the station. They later learned she had died at the scene.
Family representatives described Zarutska as "kind and hardworking" and said she had come to the United States seeking safety. In a statement, a family spokesperson said they were "heartbroken beyond words" and called for the person responsible to be "brought to justice and remain behind bars." Their attorney asked for "a full investigation into the circumstances leading up to Iryna's death, including lapses in security protocols and failures within the public transportation system."
Brown, who has been described in social media and local reports as homeless and having multiple prior arrests, was freed by a magistrate, Teresa Stokes, on a written promise to appear in court seven months before the killing. Stokes has faced intense criticism online in the wake of Zarutska's death, and Nikulytsia reshared posts targeting her decision to release Brown. In a phone call reported by relatives, Brown told his sister that the government had "planted foreign materials" into his brain and had been controlling his actions when he pulled a knife on Zarutska; those comments were included in social-media posts reported by the family.
Video clips circulating online showed the moments before and after the attack. One reel includes audio of someone saying, "got that white girl," but it is not clear from available footage who uttered the remark. Nikulytsia reposted a surveillance clip and messages urging viewers to turn on the sound to hear the exchange. He has also posted photographs of the couple from happier times and used symbols tied to Zarutska's personal effects — including images of a mushroom motif that appeared on clothing and on the young woman's cremation urn.
Neighbors and residents of the building where the couple lived said the complex has a private entrance onto the light rail platform that would have made the trip from train to apartment brief. One resident told local media that she planned to organize a lasting community memorial after the killing. Another said Nikulytsia had considered moving out in the aftermath of the homicide.
The family's lawyer said its immediate priority is ensuring the person responsible is held accountable and urged transit authorities and local officials to examine security protocols. The statement added that the family wants to make sure the incident cannot be repeated.
Authorities have not released a detailed timeline of the investigation in public statements cited by the family and local reports. The case has prompted calls from community members and online commentators for a review of how magistrates handle release decisions and for transit safety measures to be evaluated.
Charlotte law enforcement and court officials did not immediately respond to requests for comment about the magistrate's earlier decision or the specifics of Brown's prior case. The family and their attorney said they will continue to press for answers and for measures intended to prevent similar tragedies on public transportation.