Explanation for demise revealed for Massive Sur hiker discovered useless with odd wounds

For months, thriller swirled round a 37-year-old Carlsbad girl discovered useless within the backcountry of Massive Sur with a lower on her brow and markings round her neck.

Hikers got here throughout Joanna Ruth Shields’ physique in a pool of water close to Sykes Scorching Springs on April 9, and rescue groups recovered her from the distant space of the Los Padres Nationwide Forest the next day, in keeping with the Monterey County Sheriff’s Workplace.

Witnesses speculated that the markings may very well be an indication she was strangled, elevating considerations about attainable foul play. Detectives initially labeled the case as a “suspicious demise.”

However on Thursday, the Monterey County sheriff-coroner introduced that detectives had discovered no proof {that a} crime had taken place.

Her method of demise was dominated pure. Her reason behind demise was decided to be seizures because of alcohol withdrawal.

Alcohol withdrawal seizures are a uncommon, but very harmful, symptom skilled by about 1% of individuals struggling alcohol withdrawal. They sometimes happen inside six to 48 hours of the physique present process a pointy lower in blood alcohol ranges after a protracted interval of heavy consuming.

The sheriff-coroner’s dedication on the reason for demise was primarily based on a forensic examination, Shields’ well being and medical information and data offered by her household relating to her struggles with continual alcohol use dysfunction.

The coroner decided that the markings discovered on her physique have been per “postmortem insect exercise” and weren’t proof of strangulation. The gash on her brow was decided to be superficial and never a contributing think about her demise.

Detectives additionally interviewed the one that was reported to be mountain climbing with Shields final, who they mentioned was totally cooperative with their investigation.

“Our ideas and prayers stay with Joanna’s household and family members,” Sheriff-Coroner Tina Nieto mentioned in a press release Thursday. “We hope these findings present them with some measure of peace and closure after a number of troublesome months.”

The rugged space the place Shields’ physique was discovered is accessible by way of a 20-mile hike with 5,000 toes of elevation and a number of other river crossings alongside the Pine Ridge Path, in keeping with AllTrails.

Her good friend Jessica Fessler described Shields as an adventurous spirit who was in love with nature.

“There was one thing so free about her … like she belonged to the wind and the sunshine,” Fessler wrote in a GoFundMe created to help the household with funeral bills. “Typically gliding by on her skateboard, with a smile that brightened her beautiful blue eyes.”

Fessler mentioned Shields moved via the world with brightness and spontaneity in a continuing journey of self-development.

Shields’ Instagram options dozens of images of her adventures skateboarding, browsing, tenting and mountain climbing throughout California.

“Only a lady on a therapeutic journey,” her bio states. “Discovering how far her wild goes.”