BREAKING: Iryna Zarutska’s heartbroken boyfriend finally speaks out — and reveals the real reason he wanted the world to see the train video
His voice cracks as he says: “This is important to know…” — and now millions are debating the hidden meaning behind those four words.

Breaking: Heartbroken Boyfriend of Ukrainian Refugee Stabbed to Death on Charlotte Train Speaks Out in Raw Social Media Posts

The heartbroken boyfriend of the Ukrainian refugee brutally stabbed to death on a train has spoken out about his anguish at her murder.

Horrific footage captured the moment Iryna was stabbed to death from behind as she sat on a train in Charlotte, North Carolina, on August 22
Stas Nikulytsia, described online as the ‘life partner’ of Iryna Zarutska, 23, who was killed on a light rail in Charlotte, North Carolina, on August 22, allegedly by career criminal DeCarlos Brown Jr., has taken to social media to share his grief.

His posts, seen by the Daily Mail, reveal a man grappling with unspeakable loss, his emotions raw and unfiltered.

Nikulytsia has reposted outraged comments questioning why Brown, a repeat offender, was ever released back on to the streets, his fury intertwined with sorrow.

The tragedy has left a community in shock, raising urgent questions about public safety, the justice system, and the consequences of failing to hold dangerous individuals accountable.

Stas Nikulytsia (left), the heartbroken ‘life partner’ of slain Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska, 23, has taken to social media to unleash his fury over her horrific death by a repeat offender in Charlotte, North Carolina
Tragic Iryna escaped Vladimir Putin’s bombardment of her native Ukraine with her mother, Anna, sister Valeria, and brother, Bohdan, arriving in the US in August 2022.

Having first found sanctuary with her uncle’s family in the quiet Charlotte suburb of Huntersville, Iryna had recently set up home with her long-term love in a trendy apartment in the city’s vibrant NoDa arts district, a 20-minute drive away.

Her life, once marked by the chaos of war, had begun to take on a new rhythm of stability and hope.

Now, that hope has been shattered, leaving her loved ones to mourn a future that will never be.

Stas Nikulytsia attached a broken heart emoji to a picture he posted of himself and Iryna after a swim
In the aftermath of her death, Nikulytsia has shared a series of poignant snaps of him and Iryna, accompanied by heartbroken emojis, in Instagram posts seen by the Daily Mail.

One photo captures the pair gazing lovingly into each other’s eyes as Iryna hugs her boyfriend’s arm and he places a gentle hand on her thigh while sitting by a lake in their swimsuits.

Other pictures from the trip, shared online by her uncle, Scott Haskell, show the couple smiling with Iryna’s loved ones and their dog.

In one lighthearted snap, taken after a dip in the water, Iryna is seen laughing while her boyfriend has his arm around her and cheekily sticks his tongue out.

Zarutska staring up at the face of her deranged killer in terror
These moments, now tinged with tragedy, serve as a painful reminder of the life Iryna had built and the love that defined her.

In a dedication to his girlfriend, Nikulytsia has a mushroom emoticon followed by a broken heart emoji at the top of his Instagram profile.

Iryna is seen in previous snaps wearing a beloved mushroom hoodie, and the resting place of her cremation urn was adorned with colorful mushroom stickers and a red toadstool tealight holder.

These small, personal touches reflect the deep connection between Nikulytsia and Iryna, a bond that now feels irreparably broken.

The symbols of her life—mushrooms, laughter, and love—stand in stark contrast to the horror of her death, a cruel irony that has left the community reeling.

In disbelief over his girlfriend’s senseless killing, Nikulytsia took to Instagram to share two brief video clips from the train surveillance footage of the incident.

He reposted a video about the aftermath of the assault, which highlighted the audio of someone saying, ‘got that white girl.’ It is unclear whether it was alleged killer Brown who made the comment, as has been claimed, or another passenger.

A caption on the video urged viewers to have their sound switched on, adding: ‘This is important to know.’ The footage, chilling in its detail, has sparked outrage and calls for justice, but also raised difficult questions about the failure of bystanders to act in the moment of violence.

In later posts, he reshared a video reel that hit out at the alleged inaction of nearby train passengers immediately after Brown’s assault.

Nikulytsia attached a broken heart emoji to a picture he posted of himself and Iryna after a swim.

The reel circles the nearby passengers and has the caption: ‘That’s why they didn’t release the OG footage.’ He also appeared to take aim at North Carolina magistrate Teresa Stokes, who has come under intense criticism for her decision to free Brown seven months before he allegedly killed Iryna.

The public’s anger is palpable, directed not only at Brown but at the systemic failures that allowed a known criminal to roam free and ultimately take a life.

As the investigation into Brown’s actions continues, the community of Charlotte and beyond is left to grapple with the broader implications of this tragedy.

It is a stark reminder of the fragility of safety in public spaces and the urgent need for reform in the justice system.

Iryna’s story, though tragic, has become a rallying cry for change, a plea for accountability, and a tribute to a young woman whose life was cut short by senseless violence.

Her legacy, like the mushrooms that adorned her urn, may grow in the soil of injustice, but it is the hope of a better future that must take root in its place.

In a tragic and deeply unsettling sequence of events, the life of Iryna, a young woman who had sought refuge in North Carolina after fleeing Ukraine, was cut short in a violent act that shocked the community.

The details of her death, which occurred on the blue line light rail, have since become a focal point for both legal scrutiny and community reflection.

Iryna, described by her family as ‘kind and hardworking,’ had recently moved into a trendy apartment in the NoDa arts district, a vibrant neighborhood known for its creative energy and artistic flair.

This area, which she had found to be ‘beautiful’ and ‘positive,’ had become her new home after escaping the turmoil of her homeland.

Yet, the very place that had offered her a sense of safety became the scene of her untimely death.

The apartment Iryna shared with her boyfriend, Nikulytsia, was a modern space in a building that boasted amenities such as a saltwater pool, a pet spa, and a boutique gym.

The complex, which rented for between $1,200 and $2,400 per month, was also conveniently located near the light rail, a feature that Iryna had likely appreciated for its accessibility.

On the night of August 22, Iryna texted her boyfriend to say she was heading home from her job at Zepeddie’s, a local pizza parlor where she worked full-time.

Her message was the last communication her loved ones would receive from her.

That night, Iryna’s life was violently disrupted when she encountered Brown, a 34-year-old man with a history of mental health issues and a lengthy criminal record.

Brown, who was homeless and had previously been arrested multiple times, was allowed to walk free by Stokes, a court official, based on a ‘written promise’ that he would return for his next court appearance.

This decision has since come under intense scrutiny, particularly after a taped phone call in which Brown claimed that the government had ‘planted foreign materials into his brain’ and that he had been ‘in control of his actions’ when he pulled a knife on Iryna.

The call, which was shared with Iryna’s family, added a layer of complexity to the already harrowing case, raising questions about the adequacy of the legal system’s handling of individuals with mental health challenges.

The tragedy has left Iryna’s family reeling.

In a statement released by their attorney, they expressed their devastation, stating that Iryna had come to the United States ‘to find peace and safety,’ only for her life to be stolen in the most horrific manner.

The family has called for a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding Iryna’s death, including lapses in security protocols and failures within the public transportation system. ‘No family should have to go through this,’ they said, emphasizing their immediate priority: ensuring that the man responsible for Iryna’s murder is brought to justice and remains behind bars.

The NoDa arts district, a community that had welcomed Iryna with open arms, is now grappling with the loss of one of its own.

A resident, who did not wish to be named, told the Daily Mail that she wanted to organize a lasting memorial in the neighborhood, such as a bench, to ensure that Iryna would never be forgotten.

The sentiment of the community reflects a deep sense of grief and a determination to honor Iryna’s memory.

Her story has become a rallying point for calls for systemic change, particularly in the areas of mental health care and public safety.

As the legal proceedings continue, the case has also drawn attention to the broader issues of justice and accountability.

Nikulytsia, Iryna’s boyfriend, was not present at the apartment complex when the tragedy occurred, and he has not responded to media inquiries.

The couple’s new home, which had once been a symbol of hope and a fresh start, now serves as a painful reminder of the violence that can strike even in the most unexpected places.

The community’s efforts to create a lasting tribute to Iryna underscore the profound impact she had on those around her, even as they mourn the loss of a young woman who had sought peace in a new land.

The case has also sparked discussions about the responsibilities of the legal system in managing individuals with mental health challenges.

Brown’s claims of government interference and his history of homelessness have raised questions about whether adequate measures were taken to prevent such a tragedy.

The family’s demand for a full investigation into the circumstances leading up to Iryna’s death highlights the need for a thorough examination of the systems that failed to protect her.

In the wake of this tragedy, the community of NoDa stands at a crossroads, grappling with the pain of loss while striving to ensure that Iryna’s story leads to meaningful change.

As the investigation unfolds, the focus remains on justice for Iryna and the need to prevent similar tragedies in the future.

The community’s response, marked by both grief and a determination to honor Iryna’s memory, serves as a testament to the enduring impact of her life and the tragic circumstances that led to her death.

In the heart of the NoDa arts district, where creativity and community once thrived, the echoes of Iryna’s story continue to resonate, reminding all who live there of the fragility of peace and the importance of safeguarding it.