Seated in the row behind her was Decarlos Brown Jr, now suspected of having stabbed her to death.
Shock footage from the train itself showed Iryna to be looking at her phone with her headphones in. It’s reported that she had no interaction with Brown before he stabbed her in the neck in a vicious assault, before making his way further down the train carriage.
Tragically Zarutska, just 23 years old, was pronounced dead at the scene. Police soon arrested Brown, with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department confirming that he has been charged with first-degree murder.
Brown, who sources say has a history of criminal activity and mental health issues, made his first court appearance on August 29. He was there denied bond and ordered to undergo a competency evaluation.
After CATS released the train footage on September 5, the incident attained viral status, quickly spreading around