Woman found dead near Sykes Hot Springs sparks suspicious death investigation

Authorities in California have identified a woman whose body was discovered by hikers in a remote forest area last week.

Joanna Ruth Shields, 37, of Carlsbad, was found on Thursday, April 9, near Sykes Hot Springs in the Ventana Wilderness.

The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office is currently treating the death as "suspicious" while awaiting forensic results.

The discovery was made by a group of men returning from a two-night stay in the Big Sur backcountry. One hiker, Gabe Holmes, described the unsettling scene to NBC affiliate KSBW, noting that the victim appeared pale with specific injuries.

"I didn’t see any blood. She was pale. She had markings around her neck," Holmes stated, adding that "when the firefighter lifted the jacket, he confirmed that she had a big gash on her head."

The hikers also encountered a man claiming to be the victim’s friend, who appeared to be in shock.

Group member Luke Heerema recalled the man’s account of the incident: "She went to the bathroom. She was cleaning herself off in the river around 10:30 a.m., and he went looking for her and then just saw her facedown in the water, naked."

Commander Andres Rosas confirmed on Wednesday, April 15, that no one is currently in custody. "Cause and Manner of death are still pending toxicology, which could take 6-8 weeks or longer," Rosas noted.

This tragic event has stunned the local hiking community, which frequently visits the Los Padres National Forest for its natural beauty and challenging trails.