Julian Sands confirmed dead after body found in Californian mountains identified as missing actor
British actor Julian Sands has been confirmed dead after human remains found in the San Gabriel mountains in southern California were identified.
The 65-year-old actor had been missing for more than five months, after failing to return from a hike in the Mount Baldy area on January 13.
The human remains were found in the same area on Saturday by civilian hikers, with a coroner later confirming them to be those of Sands.
A statement released by the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department on Tuesday said: "The identification process for the body located on Mt. Baldy on June 24, 2023, has been completed and was positively identified as 65-year-old Julian Sands of North Hollywood.
"The manner of death is still under investigation, pending further test results.
"We would like to extend our gratitude to all the volunteers that worked tirelessly to try to locate Mr. Sands."
Last week Sands’ family released a statement saying they were continuing to keep him “in our hearts with bright memories”.
“We are deeply grateful to the search teams and co-ordinators who have worked tirelessly to find Julian,” a family statement read.
“We continue to hold Julian in our hearts with bright memories of him as a wonderful father, husband, explorer, lover of the natural world and the arts, and as an original and collaborative performer.”
Over the course of five months, search efforts had been continuously hampered by poor conditions in the area and halted in March due to the risk of avalanches.
The sheriff’s department previously said that a total of eight searches specific to Sands by both ground and air had taken place.
The most recent search had involved “over 80 search and rescue volunteers, deputies, and staff”, with their efforts supported by two helicopters, and drone crews.
The department added that volunteer searcher hours had exceeded 500 hours.
Sands had lived in Los Angeles since 2020.
He was known for his love of the outdoors and hiking in the surrounding areas, and was considered an experienced and competent mountaineer by his friends.
Sands made his big break in the 1985 romantic period drama A Room With A View, but later on developed a penchant for horror flicks.
The British actor’s height and gaunt appearance lent themselves well to the genre and he excelled in roles for films including Gothic, Warlock and Arachnophobia.
He enjoyed a career on both the big and small screens, working with big industry names including Helena Bonham Carter, John Malkovich and Steven Spielberg.
He is also known for work in productions including Leaving Las Vegas and Warlock, as well as TV appearances on Banshee, Smallville and the high-octane thriller 24.
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