An Aloha woman found dismembered in a BMW last month was killed five days before authorities found her body, court records indicate.

Jeremiah Johnston, 35, is accused of killing Sara Zghoul, 28, on Jan. 20, according to an indictment filed Thursday.

Washington County sheriff's officials said they learned of the death on Jan. 25 after receiving a tip about a body in a car and authorities then found Zghoul's remains in two suitcases in a BMW the same day in Aloha. The car was parked near the home of Johnston's mother, where he'd been living at the time, court records indicate.

Johnston remains held in the Washington County Jail without bail on suspicion of murder and first-degree abuse of a corpse. He pleaded not guilty Thursday to the indictment.

Johnston, dressed in an orange-and-white striped jail uniform indicating he's being held in a maximum-security unit, made no statements.

Defense attorney William Redden asked Circuit Judge Danielle Hunsaker to ban cameras from the courtroom for the proceeding, arguing they were prejudicial to Johnston.

Redden argued that the case has gotten substantial media attention and the public will remember seeing Johnston in his jail uniform. It could taint the jury pool if the case goes to trial and could require moving the case to a different county, he said

Hunsaker denied the request, saying legal proceedings are open to the public.

A woman who identified herself as a friend of the Zghoul family declined comment after the court hearing.

On the day Zghoul was found, Johnston was taken to a hospital after cutting his throat and trying to slash his wrists as police were apprehending him, law enforcement sources said. He was released from hospital care four days later and booked into the county jail.

Authorities haven't said what led to Zghoul's death, but they did confirm that Johnston and Zghoul knew each other but wouldn't say how. A probable cause affidavit in the case has been sealed for 180 days.

A Sheriff's Office spokesman said investigators have linked the BMW to Johnston, but haven't said who owns the car.

Johnston has convictions between 2014 and 2017 for cocaine, heroin and methamphetamine possession, delivery of cocaine, identity theft and felon in possession of a firearm, Oregon court records show.

Johnston is next scheduled to appear in court on Feb. 27.

-- Everton Bailey Jr.

ebailey@oregonian.com

503-221-8343; @EvertonBailey