In the quiet suburbs of Charlotte, North Carolina, 23-year-old Iryna Zarutska was living what many would call the American dream. Having escaped the horrors of war-torn Ukraine just three years earlier, she had built a new life filled with ambition, hard work, and simple joys. But on a fateful evening in August 2025, that dream shattered in an instant. Hours before the tragedy, Iryna texted her father a photo of her dinner—a slice of pizza and a cup of tea—writing, “Don’t worry, I’m eating well.” That message would later become the last one he ever received from his beloved daughter.
Iryna’s story begins in Kyiv, Ukraine, where she was born into a close-knit family. Her father, Stanislav Zarutskyi, worked as a builder, while her mother, Anna Zarutska, was a dedicated homemaker known for her skills in needlework and crochet. Iryna, the eldest of three siblings, showed an early passion for creativity. She graduated from Synergy College in Kyiv with a degree in Art and Restoration, channeling her talents into sculpting, designing unique clothing, and restoring historical artifacts. Friends and family remember her as a gifted artist who gifted her artwork to those she loved, often sketching animals or flowers that captured her gentle spirit.
Life in Ukraine was far from easy, especially after Russia’s invasion in 2022. The family endured months of bombings, huddling in bomb shelters for safety. Iryna, deeply bonded with her father, initially resisted leaving him behind. Ukrainian laws prohibited men aged 18 to 60 from exiting the country during the conflict, forcing Stanislav to stay. But as the dangers escalated, Anna convinced Iryna and her younger siblings—sister Valeriia and brother Bohdan—to flee. In August 2022, through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Uniting for Ukraine program, they embarked on a harrowing journey: ground transport to Warsaw, Poland, followed by their first-ever flight to Charlotte Douglas International Airport.
Arriving in America was a mix of relief and fear. None of them spoke English fluently, and they had never left Ukraine before. They were welcomed by extended family in Huntersville, North Carolina—Iryna’s uncle Scott Haskell and his wife Valeria, who had immigrated from Ukraine over two decades earlier. Scott, a manufacturing manager, became a father figure, helping the family settle in. Iryna didn’t want to be a burden; she immediately sought ways to contribute. She took on odd jobs like babysitting, dog walking, and painting for neighbors, earning a reputation as a warm, reliable young woman who knew more people in the neighborhood than her uncle did.
Determined to build her future, Iryna enrolled in community college classes to improve her English. She dreamed of becoming a veterinary assistant, fueled by her profound love for animals. The family always had pets in Ukraine, often rescuing stray kittens, and in America, Iryna bonded deeply with their Labrador mix, Teddy, who made her feel safe. She was a homebody at heart, enjoying long sleeps—”an artist’s gift,” as she called it—and cooking traditional Ukrainian dishes like katleti, piroshki, and borscht for her family. Weekends were spent on family outings, like camping trips in Virginia, where Iryna’s playful side shone through as she and her brother claimed the best chairs, leaving the rickety ones for others.
Professionally, Iryna’s ambition led her to an assisted living facility in Huntersville, where she cared for residents with such compassion that over 100 people from the facility attended her funeral, with buses arranged for those who couldn’t walk. She later joined Zepeddie’s Pizzeria in Charlotte, starting in an entry-level role but quickly advancing to line cook. Her coworkers adored her; the pizzeria owner described her as an “incredible employee” and “true friend.” Iryna saved diligently from her wages, buying her first car and preparing for her driver’s license test in October. Her boyfriend, Stas Nikulytsia, helped her practice driving after initial language barriers made lessons with her uncle challenging.
Iryna’s life in America represented hope amid adversity. She modeled occasionally, collaborating with photographers and makeup artists, and embraced new adventures with friends. But she never forgot her roots, staying in close contact with her father back in Ukraine. Their texts were filled with everyday updates, reassurance, and love. On August 22, 2025, after a long shift at the pizzeria, Iryna sent that poignant photo to Stanislav—a simple slice of pizza and a cup of tea, accompanied by her words: “Don’t worry, I’m eating well.” It was a typical gesture from a daughter easing her father’s concerns about her life abroad.
That evening, as Iryna boarded the Lynx Blue Line light-rail train at the East/West Boulevard station to head home, tragedy struck. In what authorities described as a random, unprovoked attack, 34-year-old Decarlos Brown Jr., a homeless man with a history of mental health issues, allegedly stabbed her. Security footage captured the horrifying moments, sparking national outrage. Brown was arrested and charged with first-degree murder, and the Justice Department added federal charges for committing an act causing death on a mass transportation system.
The news devastated her family. Stanislav, unable to leave Ukraine, could only watch the funeral via FaceTime, weeping as he viewed his daughter’s open casket. Anna, too grief-stricken to speak publicly, decided to bury Iryna in the U.S., believing it was where she had been happiest. “The last three years were really the best years of her life,” Scott shared. “She was very, very happy here. This is where she wanted to be.” The family declined offers to repatriate her remains, seeing it as a testament to how deeply Iryna had embraced her new home.
Iryna’s death ignited a firestorm, drawing comments from high-profile figures like former President Donald Trump and Elon Musk, who highlighted issues of crime and public safety. In Charlotte, officials faced scrutiny over transit security, while the community mourned a young woman who had touched so many lives. Her grave, kept private, may one day bear engravings of her artwork—a flower or animal sketch—to honor her creative soul. Per cultural tradition, it remains untouched for 40 days.
Yet, amid the sorrow, Iryna’s legacy endures. She was the “glue” of her family, a caring soul who helped others without hesitation. Her uncle hopes she’s remembered not for her tragic end but for her contributions: the smiles she brought to elderly residents, the meals she prepared with love, the art she created. In a world that took her too soon, Iryna’s story reminds us of the fragility of dreams and the enduring power of kindness. That final photo, a snapshot of normalcy, now stands as a heartbreaking symbol of what was lost—a daughter assuring her father one last time.
