Charlotte Stabbing Suspect’s Mother Breaks Her Silence: A Family’s Plea Amid Mental Health Crisis and Heartbreak

Charlotte, NC — In the wake of a brutal stabbing that claimed the life of 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska, the mother of the alleged attacker, Decarlos Brown Jr., has spoken out, offering a harrowing account of her son’s descent into mental illness and the system’s failure to intervene before tragedy struck.

Michelle Dewitt, mother of the accused, shared her anguish and frustration in interviews with The New York Post and ABC News, painting a picture of a family desperate for help—and a system unable to provide it.

Warning Signs Ignored

Dewitt recalled the alarming changes in Brown’s behavior after his release from prison in 2020, where he served time for armed robbery. “He wasn’t the same,” Dewitt said, describing episodes of aggression, paranoia, and unpredictable mood swings. She recounted moments when Brown would yell, slam doors, and isolate himself, behaviors she now recognizes as cries for help.

Diagnosed with schizophrenia, Brown was prescribed medication, but Dewitt admits he often refused to take it. As his mental health deteriorated, Dewitt and her husband made the painful decision to leave him at a local men’s shelter, hoping it might offer him safety and support. “We dropped him off at the Roof Above Lucille Giles Men’s Shelter,” she said, her voice heavy with regret.

A System Overwhelmed

Dewitt’s attempts to get her son help were met with bureaucratic roadblocks and a lack of resources. “Unless someone’s an immediate danger, there’s nothing they can do,” Dewitt explained. “You need a court order.” She insists Brown should never have been released after his most recent arrest in January, which ended with a simple written promise to appear in court. “He shouldn’t have been out,” Dewitt said.

Now, with Brown charged with first-degree murder, Dewitt believes her son suffered a psychotic episode. “I think Carlos had an episode,” she confided, pointing to the complex interplay between untreated mental illness and violent behavior.

National Attention and Political Fallout

The case has drawn national attention, especially after comments from President Donald Trump, which Dewitt dismissed as political posturing. “Once they find out Carlos was on medication and how the system failed him, I don’t think it’ll be what they expect,” she said. “Donald Trump can’t change all the rules.”

A Refugee’s Dream Ends in Tragedy

The attack occurred on August 22, 2025, in Charlotte’s South End, shattering the promise of safety Zarutska sought after fleeing war in Ukraine. Police responded to the scene on Camden Road, finding Zarutska with multiple stab wounds. She died before paramedics could save her.

Brown, 34, was hospitalized under guard and faces charges of first-degree murder. His criminal record, stretching back to 2011, includes a litany of violent offenses, raising questions about why he remained free.

Family and Community in Mourning

Zarutska’s family, devastated by her loss, shared their heartbreak on a GoFundMe page. “She came here for safety and hope, but her life was taken too soon,” wrote her aunt, Evgeniya Rush. The fundraiser seeks help with funeral costs and has become a rallying point for those mourning Zarutska’s stolen future.

Transit Safety Under Scrutiny

The killing has ignited fierce debate over the safety of Charlotte’s transit system. City leaders, including Council member Edwin Peacock III, are calling for urgent reforms. “If riders don’t feel safe, we lose momentum,” Peacock warned, echoing growing public concern.

The tragedy has sparked outrage online and renewed demands for better mental health services and stricter oversight of repeat offenders.

Investigation Continues

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police urge anyone with information to come forward, as Detective Buhr leads the ongoing investigation. Tips can be submitted anonymously through Crime Stoppers.

A Story That Resonates

Zarutska’s murder, and the circumstances surrounding Brown’s alleged involvement, has become a symbol of the failures in America’s mental health and criminal justice systems. For Dewitt, the pain is compounded by knowing her pleas for help went unanswered.

As Charlotte mourns, the city faces hard questions: How do we protect the vulnerable, both those seeking refuge and those battling invisible demons? For now, Zarutska’s story stands as a stark reminder of the urgent need for change.