Tragic Discovery: Missing Hollywood Actor Julian Sands' Remains Found in California Mountains

 Tragic Discovery: Missing Hollywood Actor Julian Sands' Remains Found in California Mountains

Julian Sands(Getty)

San Bernardino, California, law enforcement officials confirmed on Tuesday, June 27, that human remains discovered last week in a remote area of the San Gabriel Mountains belonged to Julian Sands, the 65-year-old British actor who had gone missing while hiking in Southern California in January. Sands, known for his roles in acclaimed films like A Room With a View and The Killing Fields, leaves behind his wife, Evgenta Citkowitz, and three children.

On January 13, Sands embarked on a solo hike to Mount Baldy, a 10,064-foot peak, after leaving his home in North Hollywood. According to The New York Times, Sands had previously climbed the mountain around 200 times, expressing his fondness for winter conditions that added an extra layer of excitement to the experience.

Portrait of British actor Julian Sands, Los Angeles, California, March 1994

Unfortunately, adverse weather conditions struck the peak that day, with high winds and heavy snowfall as an atmospheric river hit Southern California. When Sands failed to return home, a search operation was initiated. Despite extensive efforts by authorities, including utilizing cell phone data and deploying helicopter crews and aerial drones, the search was impeded by inclement weather and temporarily halted due to the risk of avalanches in the area.

Subsequent search missions spanning the winter and spring, involving multiple teams, yielded no trace of Sands. The most recent search, conducted on June 17 with the assistance of 80 individuals and a helicopter crew, also proved fruitless.

Following this unsuccessful attempt, Sands' family issued a heartfelt statement, cherishing their memories of him as a devoted father, husband, nature enthusiast, arts lover, and collaborative performer.

The search finally reached its somber conclusion on June 24 when a hiker contacted authorities after discovering human remains on the peak. The remains were transported to the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department for analysis. The cause of death has not yet been disclosed by officials.