Discharged Marine paralyzes woman who rejected him

A U.S. Marine was arrested on Tuesday after he broke into a North Carolina home and strangled a woman, leaving her paralyzed from the neck down. The attack took place at 3 p.m. on June 12 in a suburban house near Wilmington, according to police reports. The victim, 32‑year‑old Sarah Mitchell, was staying with a friend when the Marine, who had previously been dismissed from the Marine Corps for a violation of the Uniform Code of Military Justice, entered the house through a back door. He strangled her with a rope, then left a note that read, “It will be over before you know it,” which he sent to her family via text.

The incident highlights a growing concern about domestic violence among military personnel. In 2022, the Department of Defense reported that 1 in 10 service members had experienced or witnessed intimate‑partner violence, a rate higher than the national average. Many former service members struggle with mental health issues and lack access to consistent support after leaving the armed forces. Law enforcement officials say the Marine had a history of erratic behavior and had recently been denied access to a counseling program. The victim’s family said the Marine had stalked them for months, sending threatening messages before the attack.

Police say the Marine was taken into custody at the scene without incident. He faces charges of second‑degree assault with a deadly weapon and aggravated battery. A state medical examiner is still working on the victim’s injuries, but doctors estimate a permanent spinal cord injury that will likely result in quadriplegia. The Marine’s attorney has not yet filed a statement. The family has requested a restraining order and is seeking support from a local domestic‑violence advocacy group.

The case will be reviewed by the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, and prosecutors will decide whether to file a felony charge. If convicted, the Marine could face up to 20 years in prison. The incident has prompted the Marine Corps to revisit its discharge procedures and post‑separation mental‑health resources. The Department of Defense announced a new initiative last month to improve support for veterans who leave the military, but experts say more funding and outreach are needed to prevent similar tragedies.