Mother of Charlotte stabbing suspect breaks her silence in chilling account of son’s descent into mental illness after details of the killing emerged, including a heartbreaking GoFundMe statement from the victim’s loved ones.
A mother’s worst nightmare has come true. Weeks after the brutal stabbing of 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska, the mother of the suspect, Decarlos Brown Jr., has come forward — and what she reveals is as heartbreaking as it is horrifying.
In emotional reflections shared with The New York Post and ABC News, Michelle Dewitt gave a raw, painful glimpse into her son’s unraveling mind — and how the system she begged for help from failed them both.
Signs of Trouble Long Before Tragedy Struck
According to Dewitt, the warning signs were disturbingly clear after Brown’s release from prison in 2020, where he had served time for armed robbery. “He was different,” she told ABC News. His mood darkened, and his behavior became aggressive, volatile, and unpredictable.
She recalled terrifying moments at home: Brown yelling in her face, slamming doors, and muttering to himself as he roamed the house. Dewitt now sees those as early cries for help, symptoms of something far more sinister lurking beneath the surface.
Brown had been diagnosed with schizophrenia and was prescribed medication, but Dewitt said he refused to take his medicine. Instead, his aggression began to build, lashing out even at his own parents.
Feeling increasingly helpless, the couple made a difficult decision, which they hoped would provide some level of support or protection.
“We dropped him off at a shelter,” she said, identifying it as the Roof Above Lucille Giles Men’s Shelter in Charlotte, run by the nonprofit organization RoofAbove. Still, Dewitt said her son should never have been walking free, especially after his most recent arrest in January, which ended with his release on a “written promise” to appear in court.
A System in Crisis
“He shouldn’t have been released,” the 51-year-old insisted. Outside her home, Dewitt shared the grim reality she faced when trying to get her son help. She described a system so overloaded and under-resourced that unless someone posed an immediate, visible danger, intervention was nearly impossible.
“When you bring a person to mental health, and [they] tell you ‘We don’t have enough space’ or ‘Is he trying to kill himself or someone else?’ and I say no, then there is nothing we can do, [sic] you need to get a court order,” she expressed.
Now, with her son accused of a horrific, deadly stabbing, Dewitt disclosed, “I think Carlos had an episode,” referencing what may have possibly led to the tragedy.
Suspect’s Mother Speaks on Donald Trump’s Reaction to the Tragedy
Continuing to reflect, Dewitt hinted at broader issues at play concerning the optics of the incident, especially in light of U.S. President Donald Trump’s remarks on the matter, saying, “I think it’s political,” before adding, “Once they find out that Carlos has been on medications and how the system failed him, I don’t believe that is going to happen. Donald Trump can’t change all the rules.”
Her statement adds another layer to an already explosive case that has sparked outrage and heartbreak across the nation.
A City Shattered by Tragedy
The deadly stabbing took place on August 22, 2025, in Charlotte, North Carolina. Authorities say the shocking attack on Zarutska has devastated her loved ones and ignited renewed demands for better mental health services and safer public spaces across Charlotte’s transit system.
Around 10 p.m., the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department responded to a reported assault in the 1800 block of Camden Road, where they found her suffering from multiple stab wounds. Paramedics arrived shortly after and declared her dead at the scene.
Her American Dream Ends In Tragedy, and Outrage Erupts
Authorities, who quickly identified the attacker as Brown, 34, said the assailant sustained non-life-threatening injuries during the incident and had been under hospital guard at Atrium Health. “Brown will be arrested upon his release. He is charged with First Degree Murder,” the police department announced.
But what sparked fresh fury is Brown’s extensive criminal history. According to court documents obtained by the New York Post, Brown has been arrested multiple times since 2011 on a chilling range of charges — from felony larceny to armed robbery and threatening behavior.
‘She Came Here For Safety’: Devastated Family Mourns A Young Life Stolen
Zarutska’s grieving relatives have described her as someone who had endured the trauma of war only to meet a violent end in the country she believed would protect her. On a heartbreaking GoFundMe page created by Evgeniya Rush, the family shared:
“Our Valeria has suffered a terrible tragedy. Yesterday, her niece Ira, who was 23 years old was killed. Ira had recently arrived in the United States, seeking safety from the war and hoping for a new beginning. Tragically, her life was cut short far too soon [sic].”
The page also pleaded for support to help cover funeral expenses, “Any support you can give — whether through a donation or simply by sharing this page — will mean so much to the family.”
Transit Terror: City Leaders And Public Demand Action After Stabbing Tragedy
Zarutska’s senseless killing has sparked an urgent debate over the safety of Charlotte’s public transit system. At a City Council meeting, elected officials called for immediate reforms to prevent further tragedies.
“The moment where the transit system starts to become something where it’s not considered to be safe is the moment in which you begin to lose riders, to lose momentum,” warned Council member Edwin Peacock III.
The killing also triggered a wave of reactions online, drawing national attention as public figures questioned how such a tragedy could occur, and expressed anger that a suspect with an extensive history of violent offenses remained free.
Investigation Intensifies As Police Urge Public To Come Forward
The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD) confirmed that the investigation is ongoing, with Detective Buhr leading the case. Authorities urged anyone with information to step forward — either by contacting CMPD Homicide directly or submitting anonymous tips through Charlotte Crime Stoppers.
Zarutska’s story — one of survival, hope, and horrific loss — now serves as a gut-wrenching reminder of the dangers still facing too many women in public spaces, even in cities meant to offer refuge.
