Decarlos Brown Jr., accused of fatally stabbing Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska on a North Carolina train, claims “materials” in his body controlled his actions. His sister blames the state for ignoring his mental illness.
The man accused of fatally stabbing 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska on a North Carolina train has spoken from jail, offering a troubling explanation for the attack.
The Deadly Train Attack
Authorities say Decarlos Brown Jr., 34, randomly stabbed Zarutska several times while sitting behind her on a train last month. The two had never met before. Disturbing video footage showed Brown allegedly pulling a knife and launching the unprovoked assault.
Brown has since been charged with first-degree murder and faces additional federal charges.
Jailhouse Phone Call with Sister
In an audio recording from a phone call with his sister, Tracey Brown, the suspect gave bizarre reasons for the killing.
Brown claimed he believed the government had planted foreign “materials” inside his body, which took control of his actions:
“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?
I feel like the material used in my body stabbed the lady.”
When asked why the victim, a refugee, was targeted, Brown responded in the third person:
“They just lashed out at her.”
He added that he had been on his way to the hospital to ask doctors to remove the supposed “materials” that were making him “go crazy.”
Family Blames State for Missed Warnings
Tracey Brown told the Daily Mail she believes her brother’s mental health issues were ignored by the system, despite her repeated pleas for help.
“I strongly feel like he should not have been on the streets at all. I’m not blaming anyone for his actions, except for the state. I’m blaming the state for letting him down as far as seeking help.”
She explained that over the last three years, she had tried to have him admitted to psychiatric care multiple times, but he was often released within 24 hours.
“He was a high risk. He was not in his right mind. He was not safe for society. Now an innocent woman is dead.”
Mental Health and Public Safety
The case has renewed scrutiny of how North Carolina handles people with severe mental illness who pose a danger to themselves or others.
For those struggling with mental health crises, help is available through Mental Health America at 988 or via the Crisis Text Line by texting MHA to 741741.
Featured Image Credit: Charlotte CATS
