The uncle of Iryna Zarutska, who was fatally stabbed on a train in Charlotte, North Carolina, in August, has spoken out after her brutal death.
“Iryna was … she was the glue of the family,” the uncle, who requested to keep his identity anonymous, told Good Morning America on September 12. He also added that she was a “comforter” and “confidant” for her loved ones.
Zarutska fled Ukraine and moved to the United States in 2022. She initially lived with her uncle, aunt, mother and siblings before she moved in with her boyfriend in May, according to her uncle. Meanwhile, ABC News reported that officials said Zarutska lived in a bomb shelter before she arrived in the U.S.
Her uncle said that Zarutska wanted to work when she arrived in the United States, and she got jobs at a sandwich shop and an assisted living home with her mother once she got the proper paperwork to work. Zarutska was working at a local pizzeria at the time of her death.
Who Is Hannah Einbinder? Meet the ‘Hacks’ Actress Who Just Won Her First Emmy
Her uncle said she had a “strong desire to have a better life” and planned to go to school to become a veterinary assistant. Additionally, she was taking English classes at a community college.
Zarutska’s uncle went on to note that her hopes and dreams were “taken from us” when she died at the age of 23 after being stabbed while riding the Blue Lynx Line in Charlotte on August 22.
Surveillance footage of the incident has since circulated online, and her alleged killer has been identified as Decarlos Brown Jr. In the video, Brown was seen sitting behind Zarutska as she scrolled on her phone. Brown was then seen taking a knife out of his pocket before he lunged over her seat to stab her three times.
Brown was arrested after the attack, and he is next scheduled to appear in court on September 19.
“If you series the video, you can see, she just came on and she took the first seat that was available to her. It would appear she didn’t recognize there was any danger,” her uncle said during the interview.
He added that it was “absolutely terrible” to series the video of his niece’s murder. “She didn’t deserve that and nobody does. It’s been very tough on the family,” he said.
Selena Gomez Adorably Caught on Video Gushing About Martin Short, Meryl Streep at Emmys
While reflecting on Zarutska’s death, her uncle said that “things need to change.” He continued, “Our country has to change on how we offer with these situations, and that requires our leadership to take action, and I need for them to take actions.”
Following his arrest, it was revealed that Brown has a history with the law and had been charged 14 times in the past, according to ABC News. Additionally, his sister and mother confirmed he has struggled with mental health issues that may have led to the attack.
About the Author
