Body Found in Big Sur

Hikers in Big Sur stumbled upon a naked woman deep within the woods while exploring a well-known hiking trail, according to reports from the area.

On April 9, police received a call concerning a body found in the Los Padres National Forest. The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) later identified her as 37-year-old Joanna Ruth Shields in a statement released on Monday.

Witnesses noted that Shields had various injuries, including a head wound and a neck cut. One bystander remarked, “I didn’t see any blood. She looked pale, and there were markings around her neck. I don’t want to say suffocation marks.” They went on to mention that when firefighters inspected her, it was revealed she had a significant gash on her head.

The hikers who made this discovery also encountered a man who claimed familiarity with the Navy SEALs. According to them, he seemed fearful and shaken. The man reportedly told witnesses that after he left Shields for several minutes, he found her naked and face down in the water.

The MCSO is currently treating the death as suspicious since the cause remains unclear. Sheriff’s Office Cmdr. Andres Rosas expressed that they are actively investigating.

An autopsy was performed by MCSO Coroner Tina Nieto, though the official cause and manner of death are pending the results of toxicology tests.

In the skating community, Shields was well-known and admired. “Joanna was very friendly to everyone. I don’t think she had any enemies,” commented Brandon DeVrode, a former co-worker and Operations Manager at Evolve Skateboards USA. “She was always willing to lend a hand.”

The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office has been contacted for further details, but no immediate response was received.

This situation is still evolving, so more updates may follow.