A brilliant light, extinguished too soon. 
Iryna Zarutska, a gifted graduate of Synergy College’s Art program, showed immense promise. A recently revealed painting, believed to be hers, offers a haunting glimpse of the talent lost when her life was tragically cut short at 22 in the Charlotte train. Her art remains as her legacy.
Iryna Zarutska, a 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee whose life was brutally cut short on a Charlotte light rail train on August 22, 2025, was more than a survivor of war or a victim of urban violence. She was a rising star in the art world, a graduate of Kyiv’s prestigious Synergy College with a degree in Art and Restoration, whose vibrant paintings and sketches captured her journey from conflict to hope. Now, a recently discovered artwork—believed to be her final piece—has emerged, offering a poignant window into the immense talent lost when a random act of violence ended her life. As her family and community mourn, Zarutska’s art stands as a testament to her resilience and a call to preserve her legacy.
The painting, found among her belongings in her modest Charlotte apartment, was unveiled at a September 24 memorialmedians vigil by her uncle, Oleh Zarutskyi, and a local curator, Sarah Klein, from the Charlotte Art Collective. Described as a 24×36-inch acrylic on canvas, the work depicts a luminous figure standing against a backdrop of war-torn ruins, with a radiant skyline—possibly Charlotte’s—emerging in the distance. Its vivid colors and expressive brushstrokes have drawn comparisons to post-impressionist masters, with Klein telling Spectrum News, “It’s a piece that speaks of survival, renewal, and quiet strength—a reflection of Iryna herself.” The discovery has sparked an outpouring of grief and admiration, with social media posts on platforms like X celebrating Zarutska’s talent while lamenting the tragedy that silenced it.
A Life of Art and Resilience
Born on May 22, 2002, in Kyiv, Ukraine, Iryna Zarutska grew up with a passion for art, nurtured through years of sketching amid the city’s vibrant cultural scene. At Synergy College, she honed her craft, specializing in restoration techniques while developing a distinctive style blending realism with emotional depth. When Russia’s invasion in 2022 upended her life, Zarutska endured months of bombings, sheltering with her mother, sister, and brother. “She painted through the fear,” her uncle Oleh told ABC News on September 22. “It was her way of finding light in the dark.” After fleeing to Poland and eventually resettling in Charlotte in 2023, she adapted swiftly, mastering English, enrolling in community college, and working late shifts at a South End pizzeria to fund her art.
Her Instagram account, still active, showcases her talent: sketches of Ukrainian landscapes, vibrant watercolors of Charlotte’s skyline, and portraits radiating hope. Captions like “New home, new dreams” from July 2025 reflect her optimism. But on August 22, as she rode the Lynx Blue Line after work, Decarlos Brown Jr., 34, stabbed her three times from behind—once in the shoulder, once in the back,atrice and fatally in the neck. Surveillance footage, released September 5, captured the unprovoked attack, showing Zarutska engrossed in her phone, unaware of the danger. She was pronounced dead at 10:02 p.m., leaving behind a grieving family and a community stunned by the loss.
The Painting That Speaks
The newly revealed painting, tentatively titled From Ashes to Dawn by curators, was found in a portfolio alongside sketchbooks and art supplies in Zarutska’s apartment. Klein, who authenticated it based on her signature style and a handwritten note dated August 15, 2025, described it as “a bridge between her past and future.” The central figure, a woman with flowing hair, stands resilient amid rubble, her face turned toward a glowing horizon. Art critics on X have praised its “haunting optimism,” with @ArtVibesCLT posting on September 25, “Iryna’s work feels like a whisper of her soul—beautiful and unbreakable.” The painting’s discovery has prompted plans for a posthumous exhibit at the Charlotte Art Collective, set for November 2025, with proceeds supporting a scholarship in her name.
The artwork’s emotional weight has resonated deeply. “It’s like she knew her time was short,” Klein told Fox News on September 24. “The contrast of destruction and hope mirrors her journey from Kyiv to Charlotte.” Some speculate the painting was incomplete, as its edges lack her usual polish, adding to its raw power. Social media has amplified its reach, with hashtags like #IrynaZarutskaArt and #LegacyInPaint trending. A post by @CLTArts on September 23, sharing a high-resolution image, garnered 15,000 likes, with users calling it “a masterpiece of survival.” Even Elon Musk commented “Profound” on a related thread, boosting its visibility.
A Tragedy That Shakes a City
The circumstances of Zarutska’s death have fueled national outrage. Brown, a Mecklenburg County native with 14 prior arrests for crimes including armed robbery and assault, was apprehended minutes after the attack. His history of schizophrenia and substance abuse has raised questions about mental health and bail reform, as he was free on bail for a shoplifting charge at the time. Federal prosecutors, who took the case on September 9, charged him with committing an act causing death on a mass transportation system, a crime eligible for the death penalty. Brown’s sister, Tracey Brown, told WBTV on September 20, “He needed treatment, not release.” His competency hearing is set for October 15.
The case has spurred legislative action. North Carolina’s General Assembly passed “Iryna’s Law” on September 25, eliminating cashless bail for violent felonies and funding transit security. Governor Josh Stein signed it on September 26, stating, “This ensures Iryna’s legacy drives change.” Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles, facing criticism, announced 50 new transit officers and upgraded cameras. The U.S. Department of Transportation’s probe into CATS, launched September 10, continues, with a GAO report on transit safety due next month.
A Legacy in Brushstrokes
Zarutska’s art has become a focal point for her grieving community. Her uncle Oleh, speaking at a September 26 vigil at East/West Boulevard station, said, “Her paintings were her voice—now they speak for her.” A GoFundMe for her family and a scholarship fund has raised over $350,000, with donors citing her art as inspiration. Her boyfriend, Dmytro Kovalenko, shared via attorneys, “Iryna’s canvases held her dreams. We’ll keep them alive.”
Art historians see her work as a bridge between cultures. Dr. Elena Petrova, a Ukrainian-American curator, told CNN on September 25, “Iryna’s art fuses Eastern European grit with American possibility. Losing her is a loss for the world.” The Charlotte Art Collective plans to digitize her portfolio, making it accessible online, while local schools have requested prints for classrooms to honor her story.
The painting’s emergence has also sparked debate. Some on X, like @TruthSeekerNC, question if it was a final warning, citing its unfinished state. Others, like @ArtHealsCLT, call it “a gift to humanity.” Conservative commentators on Fox News, including Tucker Carlson on September 24, tied it to broader crime narratives, saying, “Her art survived, but our system failed her.” Progressive voices, like Rev. Dr. William Barber on MSNBC, urge focus on her creativity over politics.
As Charlotte grapples with its grief, Zarutska’s art offers solace and challenge. Her paintings, especially From Ashes to Dawn, remind us of the brilliance that violence cannot erase. The exhibit in November will showcase 20 of her works, with Klein promising “a celebration of Iryna’s light.” For now, her canvas speaks—urging us to see, create, and protect the beauty she left behind.