New York City — In a discovery that’s left investigators stunned, forensic teams examining the subway car where Iryna Zarutska was last seen have recovered a single gold earring lodged beneath a seat — an item that could completely reshape the timeline of her final hours.
According to police sources, the earring was found during a secondary sweep of the F Line train, after detectives re-examined footage from the night Zarutska vanished. What makes the finding even more disturbing: the earring doesn’t belong to her.
“We verified every piece of jewelry she owned,” a senior investigator confirmed. “There’s no record of this one. But the DNA on it is hers.”
Laboratory analysis revealed traces of Iryna’s skin cells and partial blood residue, suggesting close contact — possibly within minutes of her last sighting. The design of the earring, described as antique, with a chipped blue stone, has no match among her possessions, social media photos, or personal belongings collected from her apartment.
“It’s as if someone else was wearing it — and she came into contact with them,” the source added.
Even more chilling: the earring was found wedged between the seat cushion and a metal bolt directly beneath where Iryna was sitting, according to surveillance reconstruction. The spot is not visible without removing the seat panel — meaning it may have gone unnoticed for days.
Detectives now believe the earring may have been part of a physical altercation or struggle inside the train, or planted afterward to send a message.
Forensic analysts are running the item through national DNA databases to determine if it links to any known suspects or previous cases.
“It’s not just a piece of jewelry,” one official said quietly. “It’s the first proof that she wasn’t alone.”
