Iryna Zarutska Parents: Mother Anna Attends Trump’s State of the Union Tribute to Slain Refugee Daughter
Feb. 24, 2026 — Washington, D.C. — President Donald Trump honored 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska during his State of the Union address, recounting her fatal stabbing at a Charlotte, North Carolina, light rail station on August 22, 2025, with her mother Anna Zarutska in attendance receiving a standing ovation.
Trump used the moment to address crime in Charlotte, blaming prior policies and identifying suspect Decarlos Brown Jr., an American with a criminal history charged with first-degree murder. Anna Zarutska wept as Trump described the attack, comforted by others in the gallery, according to reports from the event (Independent, WSOC-TV).
Background on Iryna Zarutska’s Murder
Iryna Zarutska, born in Kyiv on May 22, 2002, fled Russia’s 2022 invasion with her mother Anna Zarutska, sister Val, and brother Bohdan, arriving in the U.S. in August 2022. She lived with aunt Valeria and uncle Scott Haskell in Huntersville before moving to Charlotte’s NoDa neighborhood, working at a pizzeria and embracing American life, including learning to drive and sketching (Charlotte Observer, obituary).
She was stabbed three times—neck, breast, knee—while seated on the Lynx Blue Line at East/West Boulevard station after her shift. Brown, with 14 prior arrests including armed robbery, was arrested on-site (Wikipedia, NY Post).
Challenges for Iryna Zarutska Parents
Iryna Zarutska parents Anna Zarutska and Stanislav Zarutskyi (Stas) faced separation due to Ukraine’s martial law barring fighting-age men from leaving. Stanislav remained in Kyiv, watching her August 27 funeral remotely via video call held by Anna, viewing the open casket and mourners (NY Post, Charlotte Observer).
“He had to stay back. He didn’t come for the funeral,” a neighbor told the New York Post. “He’s still there for whatever the war time rules are.” (NY Post)
Iryna Zarutska parents initially planned for her to stay with Stanislav, but Anna convinced her to flee for safety.
Father’s Travel and Family Grief
Border guards initially denied Stanislav exit, but he later received humanitarian approval and a U.S. visa, arriving to bid farewell (Ukrinform).
Border Guard spokesman Andriy Demchenko: “He has already arrived in the United States, where he will be able to say goodbye to his daughter.”
The family declined repatriation, burying Iryna in Charlotte. Anna continues working at the retirement community where Iryna did, honoring her daughter’s love for the U.S. Iryna Zarutska parents and relatives remember her as confident, artistic, animal-loving, and ambitious (Charlotte Observer).
Trump’s address marked a poignant recognition for Iryna Zarutska parents amid ongoing trial developments and pushes like “Iryna’s Law” for stricter pretrial rules.
