There are new details available about the female hiker recently found dead in Los Padres National Forest near Big Sur, California. The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office has released the woman’s identity as 37-year-old Joanna Ruth Shields of Carlsbad, California, but there is still no information about her official cause of death. However, authorities have deemed the incident “suspicious.”
Videos by Outdoors
In an interview with local news, witnesses describe coming upon the body of a naked woman near the trail on April 9. They say she was pale and had markings around her neck. A first responder also confirmed to the witnesses that the victim had a gash on her head.
[RELATED: Man Sentenced After Pouring Alcohol Down Hawk’s Throat]
The witnesses also describe meeting a man on the trail who claimed to be the woman’s companion. His story was that he and Shields had briefly separated, and then he found her face down in the river. An autopsy report is pending.
Shields’ loved ones have set up a GoFundMe to help her family cover funeral expenses. The page suggests Shields was backpacking through the area when the incident occurred.
See the press release about the hiker found dead along a trail near Big Sur:
Here is the interview with the hikers who found the woman’s body:
This situation is evolving, and details may change.
Header stock image by fergregory/Getty Images
