Despite language barriers, Zarutska built a life in North Carolina, working multiple jobs, attending community college, and pursuing her dream of independence and helping others.

Iryna Zarutska, a 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee, was fatally stabbed on a Charlotte light rail train on August 22,

a violent act that shocked the local community and left family and friends mourning the loss of a young woman whose life had been defined by ambition, care, and resilience.

In the three years since arriving in the United States from Kyiv with her mother and two younger siblings in August 2022, Zarutska had woven herself into the fabric of her North Carolina community, leaving a lasting impression on everyone she met.

Zarutska’s uncle, who requested anonymity, described her as “a very, very caring person” and the “glue” of her family. “She loved to help people,” he said.

From the time she arrived in Charlotte, she sought ways to contribute both to her family and to her new community. She and her family initially lived with her uncle and his wife, who opened their home to them after seeing a photo of the family huddled in a Kyiv bomb shelter.

“They didn’t want to come to this country and be a burden,” he said. “They wanted to come to this country to build a new life.”

Her early days in Charlotte were marked by determination and industriousness. Even without mastering the English language, Zarutska took on multiple jobs to support her family.

She babysat, walked dogs in the neighborhood, and eventually began working at Zepeddies Pizzeria, where she quickly moved from an entry-level position to line cook.

The pizzeria’s owner, along with many staff, attended her funeral, remembering her as “an incredible employee” and “true friend.”

Her uncle recalled that the viewing and funeral were attended by upward of 100 people from the assisted living facility where Zarutska had worked.

The facility coordinated buses to transport residents to the service, reflecting the strong relationships she had built during her short life in the U.S. “She made an impact on people of all ages,” he said, noting that her charm, ambition, and caring nature left a deep impression.

Zarutska’s ambitions extended beyond her work. She aspired to become a veterinary assistant and enrolled in community college courses to improve her English.

She was also learning to drive, a skill she had been working on with her boyfriend’s help after her uncle struggled to overcome the language barrier in teaching her.

She had saved enough money to buy her first car and was set to obtain her driver’s license in the coming month. “The very first trip she was going to make after getting her license was to drive and come visit my wife and me,” her uncle said.

Her life, however, was tragically cut short. Security footage released after the attack shows the unprovoked nature of the stabbing, which has sparked outrage and grief across Charlotte. The suspect, 34-year-old Decarlos Brown Jr., was arrested and charged with first-degree murder.

The U.S. Justice Department also charged him with one count of committing an act causing death on a mass transportation system. On the night of the attack, Zarutska was returning home from her shift at the pizzeria.

Her uncle emphasized that despite the shadows of war that hung over her early years, Zarutska remained focused on her goals and the opportunities in front of her. “She wanted to be independent, to work, to learn, and to grow,” he said.

Her life partner, Stas Nikulytsia, was among those devastated by her loss, along with her parents, Anna Zarutska and Stanislav Zarutskyi, and her siblings, Valeriia and Bohdan. Her father, unable to attend the funeral in person, watched via FaceTime, joining the family in grief.

Zarutska’s story is one of resilience, ambition, and love for her family and her adopted community.

Her uncle explained that while the Ukrainian embassy offered assistance in returning her remains to Kyiv, the family declined, seeing it as evidence of Zarutska’s deep attachment to her new life in America. “She had fallen so much in love with the American dream,” he said.

Those who knew Zarutska described her as the type of person who always sought to help others. From volunteering small acts of kindness to building meaningful connections with coworkers and neighbors, she left a mark that extended well beyond her immediate family.

Her colleagues at the pizzeria recalled her warmth and her ambition to succeed in the U.S., a young woman determined to carve out her place in a new country despite the challenges of adjusting to a foreign language and culture.

Her ambition was matched by her practical determination. Zarutska worked diligently to save money, learn English, and navigate the logistical challenges of daily life, including earning a driver’s license and managing work responsibilities.

In one of her last text messages with her uncle, she expressed pride in achieving these milestones, demonstrating a drive that spoke to her optimism and hope for the future.

The Charlotte community continues to grapple with her loss, reflecting on both the tragedy of her untimely death and the remarkable contributions she made in her short time in the U.S.

Her uncle stressed that Zarutska’s memory should be celebrated not for the manner of her death but for the person she was: caring, ambitious, and devoted to her family.

In a city now mourning a young life cut tragically short, her story stands as a poignant reminder of the human cost of violence and the enduring strength of hope and perseverance in the face of adversity.