Family History of Violence Resurfaces in Charlotte Murder Case

Family History of Violence Resurfaces in Charlotte Murder Case

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The recent killing of 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska has reignited scrutiny of a troubling family history of violent crime.

Authorities have charged 35-year-old Decarlos Brown Jr. with fatally stabbing Zarutska aboard a Charlotte light rail train on August 22. Now, it’s been revealed that Brown’s half-brother, Stacey Dejon Brown, was previously convicted in the 2012 murder of 65-year-old Robert Heym.

According to court documents, Stacey Brown, then 22, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder after he and an accomplice confronted Heym during a robbery and shot him in the face. The victim was found fatally wounded near the Scaleybark light rail station — an eerie parallel to Zarutska’s killing years later.

Investigators said Brown’s then-girlfriend played a key role in the case, telling police he confessed to the shooting and hid the sawed-off shotgun in her backpack. Brown was sentenced to 27–36 years for multiple charges including murder, armed robbery, and assault.

The case was part of a broader pattern of criminal activity involving Brown and others, including armed robbery and vehicle break-ins in the months leading up to Heym’s death.

Family members and advocates point to a generational cycle of violence, mental health issues, and unresolved trauma. “This isn’t just one crime — it’s a repeating tragedy,” said a community advocate. “We need real solutions that start with healing and prevention.”

The deaths of Heym and Zarutska — two innocent victims, years apart — highlight the devastating consequences of unchecked violence.

🕊️ May their memories be a call for change.