Iryna Zarutska fled a war zone to find safety. Instead, her young life ended in tragedy on an ordinary train ride home from work in Charlotte.The 23-year-old refugee from Ukraine, remembered by friends and family as a kind soul with a passion for animals and art, was stabbed to death on August 22 while riding a city train. Police say the killing was random.Born in Kyiv on May 22, 2002, to parents Anna Zarutska and Stanislav Zarutskyi, Iryna grew up surrounded by family and creativity. She graduated from Synergy College with a degree in art and restoration, using her talent to craft gifts and artworks for loved ones. Friends say she dreamed of working as a veterinary assistant, drawn by her love for animals.“Iryna will be remembered for her kindness, her creativity, and the lasting impression she left on everyone she met,” her obituary read. “Her absence leaves a deep void, but her spirit will forever remain in the hearts of those who loved her.”In August 2022, as Russia’s invasion upended daily life in Ukraine, Iryna and her family—her mother, sister, and brother—resettled in the United States. She quickly embraced her new surroundings, learning English fluently and carving out a fresh start.“She was always very helpful, very supportive and just had a heart of gold,” a family friend named Lonnie told WCNC Charlotte. “She was a sweetheart. And it makes me sick to think that she’s gone.”At the time of her death, Iryna was working at Zepeddie’s Pizzeria, where she had become not just a valued employee but a beloved member of the team. The restaurant shared its grief publicly:“We lost not only an incredible employee, but a true friend,” the pizzeria wrote on Instagram. “Our dear Iryna left this world far too soon, and our hearts are heavy with grief… Iryna, we miss you more than words can say. You will forever be in our hearts.” A candle has remained lit in her honor at the restaurant, symbolizing “the warmth, kindness and light she brought to our lives every day.”On the night of August 22, Iryna finished her shift and boarded a Charlotte train still in her work uniform. She sat across from a man in a red hoodie. Minutes later, police say, he pulled out a knife and stabbed her without warning. She died on board.The suspect, identified as Decarlos Brown, has been charged with first-degree murder. Investigators said the attack was random and that Brown and Zarutska did not know each other.For Iryna’s family, who left Ukraine seeking safety, the heartbreak is unfathomable. Her father, still in Ukraine due to the war, could not attend her funeral.
