Charlotte Stabbing Suspect Faces Murder Charge Amid Family Criminal History, Mental Illness Claims

Decarlos Brown Jr., charged with the fatal stabbing of Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska on a Charlotte light rail, has a family history marked by serious criminal offenses. His brother, Stacey Brown, is serving a 36-year sentence for murder and related crimes, while their father, Decarlos Brown Sr., has past convictions for theft and weapons offenses. Brown Jr. has been arrested multiple times and reportedly struggles with mental illness, claiming in jail phone calls that a mysterious "material" inside his body compelled him to commit the attack. His mother described his post-prison behavior as increasingly erratic and expressed that the system failed him, noting she had tried to get him committed but was unable to do so legally. Brown Jr. faces federal charges that could lead to the death penalty, and the incident has sparked a broader conversation about Charlotte's approach to crime and mental health. The case remains under investigation as family members and authorities grapple with understanding the circumstances behind the tragic event.