Featured Image Credit: Anadolu/Getty
Topics: Donald Trump, Crime, News, US News
Niamh Shackleton
Donald Trump paid tribute to the Ukrainian refugee who was stabbed to death in Charlotte last summer while the young woman's mother was in the audience during his State of the Union address.
Trump stood before members of Congress yesterday (February 25) to discuss his political agenda for a record-breaking hour and 47 minutes.
As well as members of Congress, Anna Zarutska, the mother of Iryna Zarutska who was murdered last year, was in attendance at the US Capitol.
Decarlos Brown Jr. has been accused of killing the 23-year-old woman on a train in Charlotte, North Carolina, in August 2025. He was arrested shortly after the harrowing incident and has since been indicted by a federal grand jury of committing an act of violence causing death on a railroad carrier and mass transportation system.
Advert
As of November 2025, there was yet to be a trial date given for the alleged murderer.
Trump discussed Iryna's death in his State of the Union address and called the suspect in her killing a 'deranged monster'.
"Last summer, 23-year-old Iryna was riding home on the train when a deranged monster, who had been arrested over a dozen times and was released through no cash bail, stood up and viciously slashed a knife through her neck and body," he said.
"No one will ever forget, the people on that train," Trump continued. "No one will ever forget the expression of terror on Iryna’s face as she looked up at her attacker in the last seconds of her life. She died instantly."
Addressing Iryna's mother directly, the POTUS said: "Mrs. Zarutska, tonight I promise you that we will ensure justice for your magnificent daughter, Iryna."
But there was a key error that was part of Trump's monologue about Iryna and her death — that being his claim about Brown Jr. having come into the US 'through open borders'.
Brown Jr. is actually believed to have been born in Charlotte, says The Charlotte Observer, and had been a student at West Mecklenburg High School.
At the time of Iryna's death, Brown Jr. had been on bail. In early 2025 he'd been arrested and charged with misusing 911.
Brown Jr. is believed to suffer schizophrenia and his mom, Michelle Dewitt, said she'd tried to get help for him over the years but had been turned away.
Speaking to the Charlotte Observer in September 2025, she shared her hopes that Iryna's family would one day forgive her son for what he did.
"I hope and pray that one day they find it in their heart to forgive my son, and that they realize that I am praying for their family," she told the newspaper.
If you have experienced a bereavement and would like to speak with someone in confidence, contact GrieveWell on (734) 975-0238, or email [email protected].