In late August, Charlotte, North Carolina was shaken by tragedy when 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska lost her life in a violent attack. Having fled her war-torn homeland in 2022, she came to the United States seeking safety and new opportunities. Instead, her journey ended in heartbreak on American soil. The incident not only devastated her loved ones but also sparked public outrage and renewed debate about flaws in the judicial system.
Iryna’s story is one of determination and resilience. In Charlotte, she worked long hours at a local pizzeria while also studying English at a community college. Friends and family described her as optimistic, kind, and hardworking. Despite the challenges of building a new life in a foreign country, she embraced each day with hope. On August 22, she texted her boyfriend, Stanislav “Stas” Nikulytsia, to let him know she was on her way home. But she never made it back.
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