British Actor Missing After Hiking Despite Danger Warnings, Remains Found After 5 Months

“Hikers Report Discovery of Julian Sands' Remains... Identity Being Verified”
As Search Prolongs, Family Also Says “Accepted Death”

British veteran actor Julian Sands has been missing for five months after going hiking in California, USA, and human remains have been found near the area where he disappeared.

On the 24th (local time), British newspaper The Guardian and American broadcaster CNN reported that human remains were discovered near the area where the search for Sands was underway. Local police also stated, "Hikers found the remains and reported them."

Sands went hiking on January 13th and did not return, prompting his family to file a missing person report. The location where he started hiking was the Baldy Mountain Trail in the San Gabriel Mountains, about 80 km northeast of Los Angeles (LA).

At the time, California authorities deployed more than 80 search and rescue volunteers for the operation, and helicopters and drones were also used in the search. However, it was reported that strong winds and heavy snowfall made the search difficult.

An official at the time said, "Despite the recent warmer weather, some parts of the mountain remain difficult to access due to extreme high-altitude conditions." The rescue team only found his car near the place where Sands was reported missing.

As the search prolonged, Sands' family expressed, "We sincerely thank those who are conducting the search to find our beloved Julian," but also stated, "We have accepted and believe that he has already passed away," effectively acknowledging his death.

Julian Sands
Photo by AP Yonhap News

The discovered remains have been collected and are undergoing identification. According to officials, the identification is expected to be completed next week.

Sands, who had been interested in acting from a young age and studied it, debuted in the film industry in 1982 with "Private on Parade" after performing on stage.

He gained recognition by playing a significant supporting role in the film "The Killing Fields," and in 1985, he was praised for his performance as the passionate dreamer George in the film "A Room with a View." He later moved to the United States to work in Hollywood.

His major works include "Arachnophobia" (1991), "When a Man Loves a Woman" (1993), "Leaving Las Vegas" (1995), and "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" (2011).

Meanwhile, around the time Sands went missing, several hikers died or were rescued in Baldy Mountain, prompting authorities to issue urgent warnings.

On January 18th, authorities warned, "Two hikers died while hiking in freezing winter weather, and recently, rescue operations have increased, making it dangerous even for experienced hikers."

At that time, the search and rescue team stated, "There have been 14 rescue operations conducted around Baldy Mountain over the past four weeks." These included cases of hikers who got lost, isolated, or injured during their hikes.