Love-scorned Marine 'wrote cryptic threat' on woman's fundraising page after strangling her until she was left paralyzed, police say

By LAUREN ACTON-TAYLOR, US NEWS REPORTER Published: 15:58, 10 August 2026 | Updated: 16:09, 10 August 2026 A love-scorned Marine in North Carolina allegedly left an unsettling message on a woman's fundraising page, after he was accused of breaking into her home and strangling her until she was paralyzed.  Isaac Ruiz, 27, was arrested on multiple charges of assault after 22-year-old Savannah Johnson was left paralyzed from the neck down following the brutal attack in Wilmington on June 14. 'You see those stories on Dateline, and you always have empathy for the parents that go through these types of things,  and you wonder how they do it,' Savannah's father, Ricky Johnson, told WECT.  'You never think you'll be in that situation.' But on a fundraising page dedicated to helping Savannah and her family during the recent college graduate's recovery, an account under Ruiz's name posted a cryptic message alongside a hefty donation. 'Each day that passes you don't realize how much stronger you are becoming,' the message read.  'It will be over before you know it.' The comment, posted on the page on June 18, accompanied a donation of $2,000.  Isaac Ruiz, 27, was arrested on multiple charges of assault after 22-year-old Savannah Johnson was left paralyzed from the neck down after a brutal attack in Wilmington on June 14 Police said that Ruiz broke into the home where Savannah had been staying while on vacation from Michigan and beat and strangled her after they went on a double date On a fundraising page for Savannah, Ruiz donated $2,000 and wrote: '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 about the ominous post on the page, according to Law&Crime. The Daily Mail has reached out for a statement.  Savannah's family said that she had been set up on a double date with Ruiz and another couple, but she didn't feel the same way about Ruiz after their date was over, Port City Daily reported.  'Obviously, he was stewing over that,' Ricky told the outlet, believing it to be a possible motivation behind the attack.  'It's quite shocking that it would go to this length just because she wasn't interested in him.' Police said that Ruiz had broken into the home where Savannah had been staying while on vacation from Michigan and beat and strangled her.  Ruiz was confirmed by the 2nd Marine Division as a mortarman assigned to the 1st Battalion, according to WECT.  'The defendant unlawfully, willfully and feloniously did assault Savannah Johnson and inflict physical injury, C5-C6 fracture with ligament injury, T2-T6 compression fracture, vertebral artery dissection and narrowing of the internal corroded artery by strangulation and assaulting the victim,' an arrest warrant said, Law & Crime reported.  Savannah's recovery and path to walk again has been documented on the Spotfund page created to help her family with medical expenses.  'Sweet Savannah was brutally attacked in North Carolina on June 14 and is now suffering from severe injuries,' the page said.  Savannah's parents are said to be 'heartsick' over the incident, but 'thankful' that her attacker was behind bars, according to the fundraiser Savannah endured a five-hour-long surgery and had to be intubated. Updates on the fundraiser has showed her slow progress, including her move to a rehabilitation center Savannah suffered a C5-C6 fracture with ligament injury, T2-T6 compression fracture, vertebral artery dissection and narrowing of the internal corroded artery from the attack 'Amongst other things, the attack has left her with a fractured vertebra and severely damaged throat, and she’s been struggling to breathe.' According to the page, Savannah endured a five-hour-long surgery and had to be intubated. Updates on the fundraiser has showed her slow progress, including her move to a rehabilitation center.  On Sunday, her family said Savannah was suffering from low blood pressure and breathing issues from fluid in her lungs.  'After getting some blood pressure meds and pulmonary clearing her lungs, Vanna soldiered on and finished her workouts. She did gripping exercises with electrical stimulation for her arms and hands. Then she did work on the bike and upped her speed from last week,' the update said.  'We are continually impressed by how determined she is to get a bit stronger each day. Sunday is a rest day here at the rehabilitation facility. She's earned some rest time.' The fundraiser reached over $35,300 as of Monday morning, with a goal of $100,000.  Savannah's mother, Amanda Johnson, told WECT: 'She's giving it her all. 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.' A GoFundMe, also hoping to help ease medical costs for Savannah's family, described the recent Northern Michigan University graduate as a 'fighter.' On Sunday, her family said Savannah was suffering from low blood pressure and breathing issues from fluid in her lungs, but has been making progress daily during her exercises A GoFundMe , also hoping to help ease medical costs for Savannah's family, described the recent Northern Michigan University graduate as a 'fighter' Ruiz was taken into custody on charges of assault by strangulation, assault inflicting serious bodily injury and first-degree burglary on a $1,000,000 secured bond 'But she faces a long, difficult road to physical and emotion recovery,' the page added.  Savannah's parents are said to be 'heartsick' over the incident, but 'thankful' that her attacker was behind bars, the Spotfund page said.  'We are all hoping and praying for a strong recovery, but Savannah is in bad shape and will need months, if not a lifetime of medical care. Savannah is such a bright, wonderful girl with a whole life ahead of her.'  Ruiz was taken into custody on charges of assault by strangulation, assault inflicting serious bodily injury and first-degree burglary on a $1,000,000 secured bond. According to arrest records, he is currently awaiting trial.  The Daily Mail reached out to the New Hanover County Sheriff's Office for comment.