A Marine Staff Sergeant accused of breaking into a woman's home and strangling her until she was paralyzed allegedly posted a cryptic message on her fundraising page, according to police.
Isaac Ruiz, 27, was arrested on multiple assault charges following the incident on June 14 that left 22-year-old Savannah Johnson paralyzed from the neck down. Johnson had been on vacation from Michigan at the time of the attack in Wilmington, North Carolina.
Ruiz, assigned to the 2nd Marine Division, allegedly broke into the home where Johnson was staying. Police stated that the attack occurred after the two had gone on a double date, and Johnson was no longer interested in Ruiz.
On June 18, an account under Ruiz's name reportedly donated $2,000 to a fundraising page established to help Johnson and her family with medical expenses. The accompanying message read, "Each day that passes you don't realize how much stronger you are becoming. It will be over before you know it."
Police confirmed Ruiz's identity and his assignment as a mortarman with the 1st Battalion. An arrest warrant detailed the severity of Johnson's injuries, including a C5-C6 fracture with ligament injury, T2-T6 compression fracture, vertebral artery dissection, and narrowing of the internal carotid artery due to strangulation.
Johnson underwent a five-hour surgery and was intubated. Updates on her recovery, shared through the fundraising page, show her progress, including her move to a rehabilitation center. Her family has described her as a "fighter."
Despite the severe injuries, Johnson's mother, Amanda Johnson, noted her daughter's determination. "She's giving it her all," she told WECT. "Savannah even said even though it was a terrible thing that happened, so much more good has come out of this. It outweighs the bad act her did to her."
As of Monday morning, the Spotfund page had raised over $35,300 towards a $100,000 goal. A separate GoFundMe also aims to help with medical costs.
Ruiz was taken into custody on charges of assault by strangulation, assault inflicting serious bodily injury, and first-degree burglary. He is being held on a $1,000,000 secured bond and is awaiting trial. The New Hanover County Sheriff's Office has not commented on the message posted on the fundraising page. Johnson's father, Ricky Johnson, expressed shock that the situation escalated due to a lack of romantic interest, stating, "It's quite shocking that it would go to this length just because she wasn't interested in him."