The Monterey County Sheriff's Office has announced that the cause of death for Joanna Shields, 37, who was found deceased on a remote Big Sur hiking trail, has been determined to be natural. The coroner concluded that Shields died from probable alcohol withdrawal seizures due to chronic alcohol use disorder.
Shields was discovered on April 9 along a trail near Sykes Hot Springs in the Los Padres National Forest by a group of hikers. She was found undressed and lying face down in a pool of water. Authorities noted unusual markings on her neck and a gash on her forehead, but these were later determined to be the result of postmortem insect activity and a superficial injury, respectively, not contributing factors to her death.
The investigation involved close collaboration between detectives and the Coroner's Office, examining all available evidence. Information from Shields' family, along with a forensic examination and medical history, contributed to the final determination. Investigators confirmed that the individual who was with Shields prior to her death was cooperative, and no evidence suggested foul play.
Alcohol withdrawal seizures occur when a person abruptly stops consuming alcohol after a prolonged period of heavy use. These seizures can manifest within six to 48 hours after the last drink and may involve multiple seizure episodes over several hours, according to Harvard Health.
California State Parks officials and Monterey County Sheriff’s deputies recovered Shields' body on April 10. A GoFundMe fundraiser established for Shields’ family described her as a person who "moved through this world with brightness and spontaneity," noting her adventurous spirit. The fundraiser indicated her passing was due to a backpacking accident.