Cause of death revealed for Big Sur hiker whose body was found on remote California trail

The California hiker whose remains were recovered successful a distant Big Sur wilderness earlier this twelvemonth died from complications of intoxicant withdrawal, according to nan Monterey County Sheriff's Office, which ruled her decease natural.

Joanna Ruth Shields, 37, died of "probable intoxicant withdrawal seizures owed to chronic intoxicant usage disorder," nan sheriff's agency said.

Shields was recovered dormant April 9 adjacent Sykes Hot Springs on nan Pine Ridge Trail successful Los Padres National Forest. Investigators initially treated nan lawsuit arsenic suspicious because her origin of decease was unknown, and hikers reported seeing a caput coiled and marks connected her neck.

CALIFORNIA HIKER'S BODY FOUND NAKED IN BIG SUR BACKCOUNTRY

FILE - The Monterey County Sheriff's Office ruled nan hiker's decease "natural." (Monterey County Sheriff's Office Facebook)

The sheriff's agency said investigators recovered nary grounds Shields was nan unfortunate of a crime.

She was recovered lying adjacent a shallow creek wearing a achromatic sports bra, pinch her clothing, sandals and a h2o vessel nearby, according to authorities.

An autopsy wished a laceration supra her near oculus was superficial and did not lend to her death.

Investigators besides concluded nan marks connected her cervix were caused by postmortem insect activity and recovered nary grounds of strangulation.

NOLAN WELLS INDEPENDENT AUTOPSY DOESN'T POINT TO FOUL PLAY, FORMER MEDICAL EXAMINER SAYS

FILE - Aerial position of Big Sur, nan Santa Lucia coastal upland scope and nan Los Padres National Forest, successful California. (Reuters/Michael Fiala)

"Investigators recovered nary grounds during nan forensic introspection aliases passim nan investigation to bespeak that Ms. Shields was nan unfortunate of a crime," nan coroner's study states.

Fox News Digital antecedently reported that witnesses who discovered Shields' body told section media they encountered a man who identified himself arsenic her friend and said he had recovered her aft nan brace became separated connected nan trail.

At nan time, Monterey County Sheriff's Office Cmdr. Andres Rosas urged nan nationalist not to jump to conclusions, saying investigators were moving to find nan origin of decease and that everyone astatine nan segment had cooperated.

The coroner's study besides states Shields had a history of bipolar upset and intoxicant usage disorder. Family members told investigators her intelligence wellness declined successful nan months earlier her decease aft she stopped taking prescribed psychiatric medication. Her sister besides told investigators Shields had antecedently knowledgeable intoxicant withdrawal seizures earlier becoming sober.

Monterey County Sheriff-Coroner Tina Nieto said she hopes nan findings supply answers for Shields' loved ones.

FILE - The remains were recovered on a way successful Big Sur, California. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

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"Our thoughts and prayers stay pinch Joanna's family and loved ones," Nieto said. "We dream these findings supply them pinch immoderate measurement of bid and closure aft respective difficult months."

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