A young Ukrainian woman who fled to the United States seeking a better life has been identified as the victim of a merciless stabbing on Friday night.

Iryna Zarutska, 23, was found dead at 9.55pm on Friday at South End light rail station in Charlotte, North Carolina.

The woman had only recently moved to the US from Ukraine in an effort to escape the ongoing war with Russia.

Violent crime remains a major issue in Charlotte which has a higher-than-average crime rate compared to other US cities. The city is run by Democratic mayor Vi Lyles, who has been in office since 2017.

She was ‘hoping for a new beginning,’ loved ones say.

‘This is an irreparable loss for her family,’ a GoFundMe set up to support Zarutska’s aunt read.

‘We have created this fundraiser to support Valeria and her loved ones during this heartbreaking time and to help them with the unexpected expenses.’

A 34-year-old suspect, Decarlos Brown, was arrested shortly after police arrived on the scene.

Iryna Zarutska, 23, was found dead at 9.55pm on Friday at South End light rail station in North Carolina

A 34-year-old suspect, Decarlos Brown, was arrested shortly after police arrived on the scene

He has been charged with first-degree murder, and was taken to hospital with non life threatening injuries.

Brown has been arrested multiple times with arrests dating back as far as 2011, and is reportedly homeless.

According to The Charlotte Observer, most of the charges faced during that time, including felony larceny, robbery with a dangerous weapon and communicating threats, have been dropped.

Police have not said what led to the stabbing.

Councilman Edwin Peacock is now demanding answers from authorities, noting the community no longer feels safe to ride public transport.

‘Right now, the trust and confidence that we have right now, and particularly between South End and Uptown, it’s very fragile right now,’ he said.

‘The story is heart-wrenching, and if, obviously what we’re hearing is true, clearly we need to give that family answers.

The young Ukrainian woman fled to the United States seeking a better life

The woman had only recently moved to the US from Ukraine in an effort to escape the ongoing war with Russia

Iryna Zarutska, 23, was found dead at 9.55pm on Friday at South End light rail station (pictured) in North Carolina

‘And we, more importantly, need to give all the citizens who are riding the light rail a lot of confidence that you’re going to be safe.’

Zarutska’s decision to flee Ukraine comes after more than three years of war after Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022.

A week ago, President Donald Trump said he had set in motion arrangements for direct peace talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Zelensky.

But Russian officials have signaled that such a summit won’t happen any time soon as it continues to bombard Ukraine.

Ukraine’s Air Force said Russia launched 104 strike and decoy drones on Sunday night, targeting the country’s north and east.