Charlotte Light Rail Stabbing: Suspect’s Family Details Mental Health Struggles as Key Court Date Looms

As the September 19 court date approaches for Decarlos Brown, the man accused of fatally stabbing Iryna Zarutska on a Charlotte light rail, his family has come forward, revealing a long history of severe mental illness. Brown, 34, was arrested on August 22, 2025, following the unprovoked attack on 23-year-old Zarutska aboard the Lynx Blue Line.

Brown’s mother, Michelle Dewitt, told ABC News that her son was diagnosed with schizophrenia and experienced a significant decline in his mental state after his release from prison in 2020. She described attempts to get him help, including taking him to a mental health hospital that reportedly refused admission due to lack of space and his not threatening self-harm. Despite a subsequent 14-day hold at a mental health facility following a court petition, Brown was released back into his parents’ care and allegedly refused to take prescribed medication.

In audio recordings obtained by ABC News, Brown can be heard telling his sister, Tracey Brown, that a mysterious “material” in his body controlled him, causing him to attack Zarutska, whom he claimed not to know. His sister echoed her mother’s sentiments, stating, “I am saying that if he had the proper care this wouldn’t have happened.”

Brown faces federal charges from the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Western District of North Carolina for an act causing death on a mass transportation system, which could make him eligible for the death penalty. Authorities, including U.S. Attorney Russ Ferguson and FBI Special Agent James Barnacle Jr., have emphasized the brutality of the attack and the commitment to seeking justice for Iryna Zarutska. Brown’s extensive criminal record, including previous arrests for larceny, breaking and entering, and armed robbery, further complicates the case. All eyes will be on the court as the legal proceedings continue next week.

阅读中文版 (Read Chinese Version)

Disclaimer: This content is aggregated from public sources online. Please verify information independently. If you believe your rights have been infringed, contact us for removal.