IRYNA Zarutska’s grieving boyfriend has slammed the judge responsible for freeing the repeat felon charged with her horrific murder.
Widespread outrage has erupted after the Ukrainian refugee was fatally stabbed by Decarlos Brown Jr, aboard a train in North Carolina as she returned home from work.
Tragic Iryna Zarutska, 23, and her boyfriend Stanislav “Stas” Nikulytsia, 21, in a touching tribute he posted to Instagram on WednesdayInstagram/nstanilsav
Charlotte Area TransitDistressing footage shows Zarutska look up at her killer in terror after the stabbing on August 22[/caption]
ReutersRepeat felon Decarlos Brown Jr., 34, has been charged with Zarutska’s murder[/caption]
Disturbing CCTV footage captured the moments before and after the attack on a Charlotte train on August 22, showing the 23-year-old calmly riding the train in her work uniform from Zepeddie’s Pizzeria.
Her killer, 34-year-old Decarlos Brown Jr., sat in the seat directly behind her. He unfolded a knife, stood up 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 crime.
He posted a photo of the two in swimsuits on Wednesday, 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 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 Decarlos Brown on cashless bail seven months before the attack.
Nikulytsia reposted Instagram stories criticising Stokes as “unqualified” and accusing the justice system of enabling violent repeat offenders.
The tragic case has reignited debate over cashless bail policies, with many questioning how Brown – a man with a history of violent offences – was free to walk the streets.
Stokes released Brown – who had been involved in 14 criminal cases – in January on a “written promise” to appear at a future court date.
The video of the attack shows Zarutska boarding the train and propping her feet up as she looks at her phone.
Other passengers in the carriage were also looking at their phones, except the attacker, who, cloaked in a red hoodie, stared out of the window as the train pulled away from the station.
Footage obtained by Mass Live shows the chilling moment the killer calmly unfolds a knife before rising to his feet and raising it above Zarutska.
Immediately after the attack, Zarutska looks up in horror, appearing to sob as she lowers her head into her hands.
One man seated nearby jumps up and chases after the attacker, who walks away.
Charlotte Area TransitThe moment Zarutska was attacked[/caption]
Other passengers appear frozen, failing to react in the immediate aftermath.
After news of the brutal murder, President Donald Trump 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 claimed Zarutska’s killing was evidence 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, saying law enforcement need 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
Instagram/nstanilsavIryna Zarutska’s boyfriend Stanislav “Stas” Nikulytsia has shared his heartbreak[/caption]
GettyA memorial in Charlotte for the 23-year-old, who was killed in a brutal public attack[/caption]