Cause of death revealed after woman found near Big Sur hot springs with neck markings 31%
By Aidin Vaziri2%
7/23/2026, 9:40:24 PM
BS Summary: This article contains 17 faulty reasoning types, including Appeal to Emotion, Confirmation Bias, and Biased Writer Voice, with Appeal to Authority as the most egregious example at 31.4% saturation with 114 hits. Analysis detected 509 faulty-reasoning hits from 363 analyzed words, generating a BS Score of 40.1% and a BS Rank of 31% (15,298 of 21,886 articles). This article is better (less manipulative) than 69.90% of the article peer group.
The death of a Southern California woman whose body was found near hot springs in the Big Sur backcountry was caused by “probable alcohol withdrawal seizures” and was not the result of a crime, the Monterey County Sheriff’s Coroner’s Office said Thursday.
Joanna Ruth Shields, 37, Carlsbad died from seizures linked to “chronic alcohol use disorder,” according to the agency.
Her death was ruled natural.
The findings conclude a monthslong investigation that began after hikers discovered Shields near Sykes Hot Springs in the Ventana Wilderness on April 9.
Search and rescue crews recovered her body the next day from the remote area of Los Padres National Forest.
Investigators found no evidence during the forensic examination or broader inquiry that Shields had been the victim of a crime, the sheriff’s office said.
No further investigative action will be taken.
Early accounts from hikers who encountered Shields’ body raised concerns about markings on her neck and an injury to her forehead.
The Coroner’s Office determined that the markings were caused by “postmortem insect activity,” not strangulation or another criminal act.
The forehead injury was superficial and did not contribute to her death, the agency said.
Detectives also interviewed the person who reportedly was with Shields before she died.
The individual, whom the sheriff’s office did not identify, cooperated fully with the investigation.
The cause and manner of death were determined through a forensic examination, Shields’ medical history and information provided by her family, the agency said.
Alcohol withdrawal can occur when a person who regularly consumes large amounts of alcohol suddenly stops drinking.
Severe withdrawal can cause seizures and other potentially life-threatening complications, according to federal medical guidance.
Friends remembered Shields as an adventurous nature lover and a familiar figure in Southern California skateboarding circles.
A fundraiser organized for her family described her as a bright, spontaneous person who loved nature, skateboarding and personal growth.
“Our thoughts and prayers remain with Joanna’s family and loved ones,” Sheriff-Coroner Tina Nieto said in a statement.
“We hope these findings provide them with some measure of peace and closure after several difficult months.”
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