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The California hiker whose remains were found in a remote Big Sur wilderness earlier this year died from complications of alcohol withdrawal, according to the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office, which ruled her death natural.
Joanna Ruth Shields, 37, died of “probable alcohol withdrawal seizures due to chronic alcohol use disorder,” the sheriff’s office said.
Shields was found dead April 9 near Sykes Hot Springs along the Pine Ridge Trail in Los Padres National Forest. Investigators initially treated the case as suspicious because her cause of death was unknown, and hikers reported seeing a head wound and marks on her neck.
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FILE – The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office ruled the hiker’s death “natural.” (Monterey County Sheriff’s Office Facebook)
The sheriff’s office said investigators found no evidence Shields was the victim of a crime.
She was found lying near a shallow creek wearing a black sports bra, with her clothing, sandals and a water bottle nearby, according to authorities.
An autopsy determined a laceration above her left eye was superficial and did not contribute to her death.
Investigators also concluded the marks on her neck were caused by postmortem insect activity and found no evidence of strangulation.
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FILE – Aerial view of Big Sur, the Santa Lucia coastal mountain range and the Los Padres National Forest, in California. (Reuters/Michael Fiala)
“Investigators found no evidence during the forensic examination or throughout the investigation to indicate that Ms. Shields was the victim of a crime,” the coroner’s report states.
Digital previously reported that witnesses who discovered Shields’ body told local media they encountered a man who identified himself as her friend and said he had found her after the pair became separated on the trail.
At the time, Monterey County Sheriff’s Office Cmdr. Andres Rosas urged the public not to jump to conclusions, saying investigators were working to determine the cause of death and that everyone at the scene had cooperated.
The coroner’s report also states Shields had a history of bipolar disorder and alcohol use disorder. Family members told investigators her mental health declined in the months before her death after she stopped taking prescribed psychiatric medication. Her sister also told investigators Shields had previously experienced alcohol withdrawal seizures before becoming sober.
Monterey County Sheriff-Coroner Tina Nieto said she hopes the findings provide answers for Shields’ loved ones.
FILE – The remains were found along a trail in Big Sur, California. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
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“Our thoughts and prayers remain with Joanna’s family and loved ones,” Nieto said. “We hope these findings provide them with some measure of peace and closure after several difficult months.”
Digital’s Robert McGreevy contributed to this report.
