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A scientist has named a newly discovered butterfly species after a Ukrainian refugee killed on a light rail in Charlotte, North Carolina. President Harry Pavulaan of the International Lepidoptera Survey dedicated “Iryna’s Azure” to the late 23-year-old Iryna Zarutska, ABC News reported. 34-year-old Decarlos Brown Jr. allegedly stabbed the Ukrainian refugee while they were riding the Blue Lynx Line on Aug. 22. “This will outlast most other tributes because it’s a living organism. Her name will be immortalized as a butterfly,” Pavulaan told the outlet. The butterfly has light blue wings, sometimes with a violet tint, and generally flies in the state of South Carolina in April, the scientist wrote in his September report. Pavulaan told ABC News he discovered it was a new species after examining specimens collected in 2018, though another researcher first spotted the insect in 1985. (RELATED: Legacy Media Won’t Touch Brutal Murder With A 10-Foot Pole) 🚨#BREAKING: A scientist who discovered a new species of butterfly has named it after Iryna Zarutska to ensure “she is never forgotten.” The scientist said, “Her name will be forever immortalized as a butterfly…” The butterfly is called “Iryna’s Azure.” pic.twitter.com/ebq9DqgplE — Matt Van Swol (@matt_vanswol) October 26, 2025 Pavulaan had already chosen a different name for the butterfly when he discovered videos of Zarutska’s killing on the internet. The 70-year-old scientist said he decided to change course after that, pushing the paper forward and renaming the species after her. “When I saw the story break … I’m 70 years old and I’m still driven to tears,” he said. Zarutska fled Ukraine in 2022 and lived with loved ones in the U.S. Authorities said she lived in a bomb shelter before coming to America. She worked at a local pizzeria and was taking English classes at a community college while intending to become a veterinary assistant, according to her uncle. Brown faces federal charges that could carry the death penalty if he is found guilty. North Carolina lawmakers passed Iryna’s Law in September to reform pretrial release conditions for alleged violent offenders. Gov. Josh Stein said Oct. 3 that he had signed the bill. Pavulaan told ABC News he sent the family copies of his research paper and framed butterflies. The scientist said Zarutska’s mother called the honor “noble” and “heartfelt” in a letter to him.
