Monterey County officials say that a hiker found dead in Big Sur in April died of complications related to chronic alcohol use disorder. Initial interviews of witnesses by KSBW 8 led to suspicions that the death was due to foul play.
“This is a probable seizure that occurred as a result of chronic alcohol use disorder, but there was nothing that stood out that indicated any type of criminal activity,” Andres Rosas of the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office told KSBW 8.
Hikers discovered the body of 37-year-old Joanna Shields on April 9 in Big Sur’s Ventana Wilderness near the popular trail to Sykes Hot Springs. They described the body as having marks on the neck and a gash on the head. They also passed a man they described as “cold and shaking.” He claimed to be a friend of Shields.
The witness statements created speculation that the male friend was involved in the death. However, detectives had been in touch with the man and said he was cooperative with the investigation.
The Pine Ridge Trail is a 10-mile out-and-back hike to Sykes Hot Springs — geothermal-heated pools along the Big Sur River.
