Wilmington, North Carolina — A North Carolina woman is facing a long road to recovery after authorities accused a U.S. Marine of breaking into the home where she was staying and brutally strangling her following what her family described as an unwanted romantic advance. In a bizarre twist, the accused man was later identified as the top donor on an online fundraiser created to help pay for her recovery.
Family Says Rejection May Have Motivated Attack
Savannah Johnson, 22, was visiting North Carolina from Michigan when she reportedly met Isaac Ruiz, 26, through a double date involving another couple.
According to Savannah’s family, Ruiz developed romantic feelings for her, but she did not reciprocate those feelings after the date.Her father, Ricky Johnson, said he believes Ruiz became increasingly angry after being rejected.
“It’s quite shocking that it would go to this length just because she wasn’t interested in him,” Ricky said, according to local reporting.
The family believes that rejection may have played a role in the alleged attack.
Police Say Marine Broke Into the Home
Authorities allege that Ruiz later broke into the Wilmington home where Savannah was staying. According to the arrest warrant, Ruiz allegedly attacked and strangled her before fleeing the property.
Savannah’s mother, Amanda Johnson, recalled receiving a horrifying phone call from her niece. She said her niece was screaming that Savannah was unconscious.
The injuries documented in the arrest warrant were extensive, including a C5-C6 fracture with ligament damage, T2-T6 compression fractures, a vertebral artery dissection, and narrowing of an internal carotid artery.
The family says the strangulation and assault left Savannah paralyzed from the neck down.
Marine Charged After Alleged Attack
Ruiz is a member of the 2nd Marine Division stationed at Camp Lejeune in Jacksonville, North Carolina.
The Marine Corps confirmed that Ruiz, described as a mortarman assigned to the 1st Battalion, was arrested and charged in connection with the alleged attack.
Officials said the military organization has been cooperating with investigators. Ruiz faces charges of assault by strangulation, assault inflicting serious bodily injury and first-degree burglary.
The allegations remain criminal accusations, and the case has not yet been resolved in court.
Accused Man Allegedly Donated $2,000
The case took an unusual turn after Savannah’s family established an online fundraiser to help cover the costs associated with her recovery. According to family members, Ruiz appeared as the fundraiser’s top donor, contributing $2,000.
Even more striking was the message reportedly attached to the donation.
It read:
“Each day that passes you don’t realize how much stronger you are becoming. It will be over before you know it.”
The family has not publicly explained why Ruiz allegedly made the contribution or what motivated the message.
The reported donation has added another disturbing layer to a case that has already left Savannah’s relatives struggling to understand how the situation escalated so violently.
Savannah Continues Difficult Recovery
Savannah’s condition remains extremely serious.
Her family says she is currently paralyzed from the neck down and undergoing intensive physical therapy as she works toward potentially regaining mobility.
Her relatives remain hopeful that continued rehabilitation can help her regain strength and eventually walk again. Amanda Johnson said her daughter is giving everything she has to the recovery process.
“She’s giving it her all,” Amanda said.
For Savannah’s family, the recovery is expected to be a long and difficult journey, with medical care and rehabilitation continuing while the criminal case against Ruiz moves forward.
What do you think about the reported $2,000 donation from the man accused in this case? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
