By admin 
The Monterey County coroner’s office has determined a cause of death for a Big Sur hiker whose body was found in early April near Sykes Hot Springs in the Los Padres National Forest.
Read more Red flag warning, Park Fire arson conviction. Top Sacramento stories July 24
The body of Carlsbad resident Joanna Ruth Shields, 37, was found in a creek on April 9 and was initially classified as suspicious, due to evidence found on her body and in the surrounding area, previous news releases said.
However, on Thursday, the Sheriff’s Office said in a news release that Shields died of natural causes related to “probable alcohol withdrawal seizures due to chronic alcohol use disorder.”
The manner and cause of death were uncovered “through the forensic examination, a reliable medical and health history, and information obtained during the investigation” from Ms. Shields’ family and from someone who had been hiking with her and cooperated with the investigation, the release said.
“Investigators found no evidence during the forensic examination or throughout the investigation to indicate that Ms. Shields was the victim of a crime,” the Sheriff’s Office concluded. “Based on the results of the investigation and the findings of the forensic examination, no further investigative action will be taken.”
“The coroner’s examination determined that “markings observed on Ms. Shields’ body were consistent with ‘postmortem insect activity’ and were not evidence of strangulation or any criminal act,” the release said. “Additionally, the injury observed on her forehead was determined to be ‘superficial’ and was not identified as a contributing factor in her death.”
Read more Life sentence for man who murdered mother at Sacramento senior living facility
Sykes Hot Springs is located on the Big Sur River, within the Ventana Wilderness of the Los Padres National Forest. Access is via a steep, 10-mile hike along the Pine Ridge Trail.
Sheriff-Coroner Tina Nieto sent condolences to Shields’ family and loved ones, saying “we hope these findings provide them with some measure of peace and closure after several difficult months.”
A Gofundme was set up to raise money for funeral and travel expenses. As of Friday, it had raised $22,485 of a $26,000 goal.
“Joanna moved through this world with brightness and spontaneity — in love with nature, her family, her friends, and her constant journey of self development,” the Gofundme said. “There was something so free about her … like she belonged to the wind and the sunshine. Often gliding by on her skateboard, with a smile that brightened her gorgeous blue eyes, Joanna was a bright and adventurous spirit who touched the lives of everyone around her.”
This story was originally published July 24, 2026 at 11:23 AM with the headline “Big Sur hiker’s cause of death released after her body was found in creek.”
Read more SEIU Local 1000 is holding strike schools — what does that mean?