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Cause of Death Revealed for California Woman Found Dead in Big Sur Wilderness
Investigators found no evidence of crime after a comprehensive forensic review and said Shields likely died from alcohol withdrawal seizures.
- On Thursday, the Monterey County Sheriff's Office determined that 37-year-old Joanna Ruth Shields died from "probable alcohol withdrawal seizures due to chronic alcohol use disorder," officially ruling the death "natural."
- In April, authorities found Shields' body in the Los Padres National Forest near Sykes Hot Springs; deputies initially deemed the death "suspicious" following reports of marks on her body.
- The coroner determined marks were consistent with "postmortem insect activity" rather than strangulation, and investigators said there was "no evidence" that indicated Shields was the victim of a crime.
- Sheriff Tina Nieto expressed hope the findings provide "measure of peace and closure after several difficult months" for the family, thanking staff for their "thorough investigation."
- Access to Sykes Hot Springs involves hiking the Pine Ridge Trail, which the Forest Service described as "strenuous and challenging even for experienced hikers," with multiple river crossings.
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Big Sur Hiker Joanna Ruth Shields Found Dead, Cause Of 'Strangulation Marks' On Her Neck Revealed
A 37-year-old Big Sur hiker named Joanna Ruth Shields was missing for months. An active investigation was underway to locate the woman who disappeared under mysterious circumstances. Recently, it was revealed by the police that the body of a woman was found in April 2026, and after medical examination, it was publicly revealed in July 2026 that the body belonged to Joanna. Joanna's family is currently undergoing immense grief, and her well-wishe…
Cause of Death Revealed for Big Sur Hiker Found on Remote California Trail - Internewscast Journal
Internewscast Journal Internewscast A California hiker whose body was discovered earlier this year in a… This Post: Cause of Death Revealed for Big Sur Hiker Found on Remote California Trail first appeared on Internewscast Journal
Coverage Details
Total News Sources15
Leaning Left2Leaning Right2Center7Last UpdatedBias Distribution64% Center
Bias Distribution
- 64% of the sources are Center
64% Center
L 18%
C 64%
R 18%
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