Missing hiker in California mountains named as British actor Julian Sands
Julian Sands disappeared last Friday during a trip to the San Gabriel mountains, ITV News' Geraint Vincent reports
British actor Julian Sands is missing in the San Gabriel mountains in southern California.
The 65-year-old actor was reported missing at around 7.30pm in the Baldy Bowl area, about 40 miles northeast of downtown Los Angeles, on Friday evening.
Over the weekend helicopters, drones and rescue teams scoured the area, with searches still continuing today.
A spokesperson for San Bernardino County Sheriff’s department confirmed it was the Hollywood actor who had gone missing.
They said: “Sheriff’s Department Search and Rescue crews responded and began a search. Because of avalanche risks and trail conditions, the ground crews were pulled off the mountain on Saturday evening.
“However, we continue to search by helicopter and drones when the weather permits.”
The spokesperson added that additional ground searches would be scheduled when the weather improves and conditions were safer for rescue crews.
In the last week Californian streets have turned to rivers, trees were toppled and mud slid following relentless storms.
The death climbed from 12 to 14 last Monday, after two people were killed by falling trees, state officials said.
San Bernardino County Sheriff’s department urged hikers, in the region where Julian Sands went missing, to “think twice and heed warnings” following treacherous weather in the region.
The force said its search and rescue teams had responded to 14 calls on Mount Baldy and in the surrounding area over the last four weeks.
Who is Julian Sands?
TV and film star Julian Sands is best known for his roles in A Room With A View, Leaving Las Vegas and Warlock, as well as small screen appearances on 24, Smallville and Banshee.
He most recently played the chief medical officer in the 2021 Jack Lowden and Peter Capaldi-led drama Benediction.
Born in Otley, West Yorkshire, he now lives in Los Angeles.
From 1984 to 1987 he was married to future Evening Standard and Today editor Sarah Sands with whom he shares a son.
He also has two daughters with journalist Evgenia Citkowitz, whom he married in 1990.
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