Left: Isaac Ruiz (New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office). Right: Savannah Johnson in physical therapy (Spotfund/Amanda Johnson).
A U.S. Marine accused of becoming fixated after a woman rejected his romantic interest allegedly broke into a North Carolina home where she was staying and attacked her so severely that she was left paralyzed from the neck down, according to her family.
“My niece called me and was screaming, ‘Savannah, Savannah, unconscious,’” Amanda Johnson, the mother of victim Savannah Johnson, told local NBC affiliate WECT in a recent interview.
Isaac Ruiz, a member of the 2nd Marine Division stationed at Camp Lejeune in Jacksonville, North Carolina, has been charged with assault by strangulation, assault inflicting serious bodily injury, and first-degree burglary in connection with the June 14 attack in Wilmington.
Savannah Johnson’s family said the 22-year-old, who is from Michigan, had been set up on a double date with Ruiz and another couple. Afterward, she did not return Ruiz’s romantic interest — a rejection her family believes may have fueled the alleged assault, Port City Daily reported.
“Obviously, he was stewing over that,” Savannah’s father, Ricky Johnson, told the newspaper. “It’s quite shocking that it would go to this length just because she wasn’t interested in him.”
Authorities allege Ruiz, 26, forced his way into the home where Savannah Johnson was staying during her vacation. Police say he beat and strangled her before leaving the scene.
An arrest warrant states that Ruiz “unlawfully, willfully, and feloniously” assaulted Savannah Johnson, causing injuries that included a C5-C6 fracture with ligament injury, T2-T6 compression fracture, vertebral artery dissection, and narrowing of the internal carotid artery by strangulation and assaulting the victim.
The 2nd Marine Division confirmed to WECT that Ruiz, a mortarman assigned to the 1st Battalion, was arrested and charged in connection with the alleged attack. U.S. officials say the division has been fully cooperating with the investigation.
According to Port City Daily, the Johnson family launched a Spotfund online fundraiser following the alleged assault to help with Savannah’s recovery costs, and Ruiz was listed as the top donor with a contribution of $2,000.
A message included with the donation says, “Each day that passes you don’t realize how much stronger you are becoming. It will be over before you know it.”
Police declined to comment when asked if they were aware of the post.
According to the Johnson family, Savannah is currently paralyzed from the neck down and is undergoing physical therapy to try to walk again one day.
“She’s giving it her all,” Amanda Johnson told WECT.
The post Man strangled and paralyzed woman who rejected him then became the top donor on her family’s online recovery fundraiser, posted cryptic message: Report first appeared on Law & Crime.
