A 37-year-old woman found dead in Big Sur's backcountry with concerning wounds has had her death ruled natural by the Monterey County Sheriff-Coroner, with no evidence of foul play discovered.
Joanna Ruth Shields' body was located in a pool of water near Sykes Hot Springs on April 9 by hikers, and subsequently recovered from the remote Los Padres National Forest area. Initial speculation arose from markings on her neck and a cut on her forehead, leading detectives to classify the case as a suspicious death, with witnesses suggesting strangulation was a possibility.
However, following a thorough investigation, authorities announced that the manner of death was determined to be natural, caused by seizures resulting from alcohol withdrawal. This condition, affecting approximately 1% of individuals undergoing alcohol withdrawal, can manifest six to 48 hours after a significant reduction in blood alcohol levels following prolonged heavy drinking.
The coroner's conclusion was based on forensic examinations, Shields' medical records, and information from her family regarding her struggles with chronic alcohol use disorder. The markings on her body were identified as consistent with postmortem insect activity, not evidence of strangulation, and the forehead gash was deemed superficial and not a factor in her passing.
Detectives also confirmed that an individual reported to be hiking with Shields last was fully cooperative throughout the investigation. Sheriff-Coroner Tina Nieto expressed hope that the findings would provide some measure of peace and closure to Shields' family and loved ones. Shields was remembered by a friend as an adventurous spirit with a love for nature and a journey of self-development.
