The man accused of brutally stabbing a Ukrainian refugee to death on a train has offered a haunting explanation for his actions in a recorded jailhouse phone call, as Donald Trump calls for his execution.
Iryna Zarutska, who fled the war in Ukraine in search of safety, was killed on a light rail train in Charlotte, North Carolina, on August 22, 2025.
Surveillance footage shows 30-year-old Decarlos Brown Jr. sitting behind Zarutska for several minutes before suddenly stabbing her in the neck with a pocket knife.
He then calmly walked through the carriage with the blood-covered weapon in his hand.
Iryna Zarutska, who had fled the war in Ukraine, was killed in a brutal stabbing. Credit: Iryna Zarutska / Instagram
Zarutska had learned English, was working at Zepeddie’s Pizzeria, and hoped to become a veterinary assistant.
Her family described her as “gifted and passionate”, adding in a statement: “We are heartbroken beyond words. Iryna came here to find peace and safety, and instead, her life was stolen from her in the most horrific way.”
Brown was quickly arrested and charged with first-degree murder, along with a federal charge of committing murder on a mass transportation system.
Both charges carry the possibility of life in prison or the death penalty.
Brown's chilling motive
In a jailhouse phone call to his sister Tracey on August 28, Brown made a disturbing statement, per The Daily Mail: “I hurt my hand, stabbing her. I don’t even know the lady. I never said not one word to the lady at all. That’s scary, ain’t it. Why would somebody stab somebody for no reason?”
Tracey, who herself had been attacked by Brown in 2022, responded by asking her brother: “Out of all people, why her? She’s from the Ukraine, she’s from Russia, and they had a war going on against the United States, so I’m just trying to understand, of all people, why her?”
Brown replied: “They just lashed out on her, that’s what happened. Whoever was working the materials, they lashed out on her. That’s all there is to it. Now they really gotta investigate what my body was exposed to... Now they gotta do an investigation as to who was the motive behind what happened."
His mother Michelle Dewitt told ABC News that her son had been diagnosed with schizophrenia, but had refused to take the medication he had been given.
Meanwhile, Tracey told The Daily Mail that her brother believes the government implanted a chip in him.
She said he had been spiraling since being released from prison in 2022 after a robbery conviction. In January, Brown called 911 to say his brain was being controlled by a microchip, but instead of receiving treatment, he was charged with misuse of the 911 system and released on cashless bail.
“He was a high risk. He was not in his right mind. He was not safe for society. We know what he has been dealing with the last three years. And now an innocent woman is dead,” she said.
His mother also said she tried to admit him to a long-term mental health facility but was unable to because she wasn’t his legal guardian.
“He was seeking help. He called 911 multiple times. Instead of talking to him, they thought charging him was going to help,” Tracey added.
Decarlos Brown Jr. Credit: Decarlos Brown Jr. / Instagram
Trump: "There can be no other option"
Following the shocking killing, Trump took to Truth Social to demand swift capital punishment.
“The ANIMAL who so violently killed the beautiful young lady from Ukraine, who came to America searching for peace and safety, should be given a ‘Quick’ (there is no doubt!) Trial, and only awarded THE DEATH PENALTY. There can be no other option!!!” he wrote.
Trump’s press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, said he may also meet with Zarutska’s family to offer his condolences. “Certainly he’d be willing to. He’s always willing to do things like that,” she said, per The Telegraph.
Attorney General Pam Bondi revealed that the Department of Justice will pursue the maximum penalty. “Brown would never again see the light of day as a free man,” she added.
Iryna Zarutska had fled the war in Ukraine. Credit: Iryna Zarutska / Instagram
In response to Zarutska's murder, North Carolina lawmakers have passed “Iryna’s Law”, a new criminal justice bill aimed at increasing mental health evaluations for defendants, toughening bail rules, and reopening the path for executions after nearly two decades.
“Brown should have never been allowed out of the jail,” said Republican Rep. Tricia Cotham during House debate. “The catch-and-release practices for violent offenders will end today with your support. This heinous act was preventable.”