Tragic Iryna Zarutska’s boyfriend reveals heartache at her murder that’s shaken America…& slams judge for freeing killer

The young couple had been living together in Charlotte for the past year

IRYNA Zarutska’s grieving boyfriend has slammed the judge responsible for freeing the repeat felon charged with her horrific murder.

Widespread outrage erupted after the Ukrainian refugee was fatally stabbed by Decarlos Brown Jr, aboard a train in North Carolina, as she returned home from work on August 22.

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Tragic Iryna Zarutska, 23, and her boyfriend Stanislav “Stas” Nikulytsia, 21, in a touching tribute he posted to Instagram on WednesdayCredit: Instagram/nstanilsav

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Distressing footage shows Zarutska look up at her killer in terror after being stabbed on August 22

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Repeat felon Decarlos Brown Jr., 34, was charged with Zarutska’s murderCredit: Reuters
Disturbing CCTV footage shows the 23-year-old on a Charlotte train in her work uniform from Zepeddie’s Pizzeria, moments before and after the attack.

Her killer, 34-year-old Decarlos Brown Jr., sat in the seat directly behind her before he unfolded a knife, rose to his feet and violently attacked her.

Brown was arrested and charged with first-degree murder over Zarutska’s death – making him eligible for the death penalty.

Zarutska’s boyfriend, Stanislav “Stas” Nikulytsia, 21, has publicly expressed his grief and anger over the horrific murder.

On Wednesday, he posted a photo on Instagram of the two of them in swimsuits at a lake, captioned simply with a broken heart emoji.

He also changed his bio to include a mushroom emoji – believed to be Zarutska’s favourite – alongside another broken heart.

The young man is described as Zarutska’s “life partner” in her obituary, which revealed that the couple had been living together in Charlotte for the past year.

Nikulytsia has also directed his anger at Magistrate Judge Teresa Stokes, who freed Brown on cashless bail seven months before the attack.

He reposted Instagram stories calling Stokes “unqualified” and accusing the justice system of enabling violent repeat offenders.

Stokes released Brown, who had been involved in 14 criminal cases, in January on a “written promise” to appear at a future court date.

Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska’s gutwrenching look of pure terror after being ‘fatally stabbed by ex-con out on bail’

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Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska’s gutwrenching look of pure terror after being ‘fatally stabbed by ex-con out on bail’
The tragic case has sparked a debate over cashless bail policies, with many questioning how Brown – a man with a history of violent offences – was free to walk the streets.

On August 22, he carried out an attack that drew outrage, and as a result, prompted a response from Donald Trump.

Distressing footage shows Zarutska boarding the train and propping her feet up as she looks at her phone.

Other passengers in the carriage are also looking at their phones, except the attacker, who, cloaked in a red hoodie, stares out of the window as the train pulls away from the station.

Just four minutes after Zarutska boards the train, Brown attacks her.

Immediately after the attack, she looks up in horror, appearing to sob as she lowers her head into her hands.

One man sat nearby jumps up and chases after the attacker, who walks away with blood dripping from the knife.

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The moment Zarutska was attacked
Other passengers appear frozen, failing to react in the immediate aftermath.

Meanwhile, Donald Trump pledged a “vicious” response following the horrific crime.

The US president also publicly blamed cashless bail programs, which allow some suspects to be released without posting bond while awaiting trial.

Speaking to reporters at the White House on Tuesday, Trump said Zarutska’s killing proved that Democrat-run cities are failing to protect citizens.

“In Charlotte, North Carolina, we saw the results of these policies when a 23-year-old woman who came here from Ukraine met her bloody end on a public train,” he said.

“She was slaughtered by a deranged monster who is roaming free after 14 prior arrests.”

Trump went on to call for a nationwide crackdown on crime, urging law enforcement to use “force and strength” to prevent future tragedies.

Decarlos Brown Jr.’s criminal history

This is a timeline of Decarlos Brown Jr.’s criminal history since 2011:

2011-Present: Arrested 14+ times for various crimes such as felony larceny, armed robbery with a dangerous weapon, burglary, shoplifting, assault, making threats/ communicating threats, misuse of 911/ false emergency calls
2020: Sentenced to prison for felony larceny and armed robbery
2021: Assaulted his sister shortly after release, causing minor injuries
January 2025: Arrested for misusing 911 and claiming man-made substances controlled his body
July 2025: Mental Health evaluation ordered with a schizophrenia diagnosis, but the evaluation was not carried out

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Iryna Zarutska’s boyfriend Stanislav “Stas” Nikulytsia has shared his heartbreakCredit: Instagram/nstanilsav

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A memorial in Charlotte for ZarutskaCredit: Getty