Woman found dead near hot springs in Big Sur wilderness identified
The woman found dead near hot springs in the Big Sur wilderness has been identified.
Joanna Ruth Shields, 37, of Carlsbad, was found dead near the area of Sykes Hot Springs in the Los Padres National Forest on Thursday, according to the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office.
Sykes Hot Springs is located on the Big Sur River, accessed via a 10-mile hike on the Pine Ridge Trail.
Shields’ body was recovered by authorities on Friday. The incident was being investigated as a suspicious death, the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office said at the time.
The Sheriff’s Office announced the ID in a news release on Monday and said the cause and manner of death were pending toxicology reports.
The incident was still under investigation, according to the release.
Anyone with information was encouraged to contact Det. R. Geng at 831-755-3700, or submit a tip anonymously via the Sheriff’s Office website: mcso.countyofmonterey.gov.
This story was originally published April 13, 2026 at 5:38 PM.
.JPG)