Big Sur hiker’s death caused by alcohol withdrawal seizures, sheriff says

A California hiker whose remains were found in a remote Big Sur wilderness earlier this year has died from complications of alcohol withdrawal, according to the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office.

The sheriff’s office said 37-year-old Joanna Ruth Shields died from “possible alcohol withdrawal seizures related to chronic alcohol use disorder.”

Shields was found dead April 9 near Sykes Hot Springs along Pine Ridge Road in the Los Padres National Forest. Investigators initially treated the case as suspicious because the cause of death was unknown and hikers reported seeing a wound on his head and marks on his neck.

CALIFORNIA HIKER’S BODY FOUND NAKED IN BIG SUR’S BACK COUNTRY

The sheriff’s office said investigators found no evidence that Shields was the victim of a crime.

According to authorities, she was found lying near a shallow stream wearing a black sports bra with her clothes, sandals and a water bottle next to her.

An autopsy determined that the laceration above his left eye was superficial and did not contribute to his death.

Investigators also concluded that the marks on his neck resulted from post-mortem insect activity and found no evidence of strangulation.

FORMER MEDICAL JUDGE SAYS NOLAN WELLS’ INDEPENDENT AUTOPSY WAS NOT A BAD SIGN

FILE – Aerial view of Big Sur, the Santa Lucia coastal mountain range and Los Padres National Forest in California. (Reuters/Michael Fiala)

“Investigators found no evidence during the forensic examination or throughout the investigation to indicate that Ms. Shields was the victim of a crime,” the forensic report states.

Fox News Digital previously reported that witnesses who found Shields’ body told local media that they encountered a man who identified himself as her friend and found him after the two got separated on the road.

At the time, Monterey County Sheriff’s Office Cmdr. Andres Rosas appealed to the public not to jump to conclusions, saying investigators were working to determine the cause of death and that everyone at the scene cooperated.

The medical examiner’s report also notes that Shields has a history of bipolar disorder and alcohol use disorder. Family members told investigators that his mental health deteriorated after he stopped taking prescription psychiatric medication in the months before his death. His sister also told investigators that Shields had bouts of alcohol withdrawal before sobering up.

Monterey County Sheriff-Coroner Tina Nieto said she hopes the findings will provide answers for Shields’ loved ones.

FILE – Remains found along a road in Big Sur, California. (Brian van der Brug/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

CLICK TO DOWNLOAD FOX NEWS APPLICATION

“Our thoughts and prayers are with Joanna’s family and loved ones,” Nieto said. “We hope these findings provide them with some peace and closure after several difficult months.”

Fox News Digital’s Robert McGreevy contributed to this report.