Who Is Jeremiah Johnston? Suspect In Sara Zghoul's Murder Identified

A 35-year-old man named Jeremiah "Jeremy" Johnston was identified as the suspect in the gruesome murder of an Aloha, Oregon, woman whose dismembered body was found Thursday. Reports about the identity of the alleged killer were revealed Sunday, two days after the suspect was taken into custody.

The body of 28-year-old Sara Zghoul was found stuffed into two suitcases in a black BMW, which was found parked near the home of the suspect's mother, court records show. Police found Zghoul’s remains after getting a tip "regarding a possible homicide where the victim’s body had been left inside a vehicle,” ABC-affiliated KATU-TV reported.

Johnston, a convicted felon recently released from prison and on probation for another drug charge, tried to slash his throat and wrists when police tried to arrest him Thursday, law enforcement sources reportedly said. He was hospitalized and remained under observation as of Monday. The suspect is yet to be charged in the murder of Zghoul.

Police are yet to determine the relationship between Johnston and Zghoul, and a possible reason for the murder.

Johnston has a lengthy criminal record in Oregon with multiple drug convictions dating back to 2014. In July 2015, Johnston was sentenced in Washington Circuit Court to 23 months in prison for delivery of cocaine, felon in possession of a firearm and possession of cocaine, heroin and methamphetamine, court records show. He was released from prison in May 2017, but again arrested in August 2017 in Multnomah County, Oregon, and charged with cocaine possession.

In September, he pleaded guilty and was sentenced to a year and a half of probation and entered a drug treatment program.

According to reports, Johnston attended Aloha High School and worked as a customer service representative at Wells Fargo from 2005 to 2007 and as a mortgage loan officer at Bank of America from 2007 to 2012.

Zghoul's untimely death shocked her friends, who remembered the 28-year-old. one friend on Facebook wrote: "I wish I could’ve been there to protect you because this would’ve never happened! Praying for you and your family. Go with God and rest in His loving arms.." Another wrote: "#rip your a beautiful angel up above."

Jessica Winters, a friend, told Fox 12 she was in shock, saying: "I’m just like comprehending everything. She was so outgoing, she walks in a room and you just have to be happy."