LOS ANGELES, USA – British actor Julian Sands, known for roles in films such as “A Room With a View” and “The Killing Fields,” was confirmed to have been found deceased in the mountains northeast of Los Angeles.
Sands, aged 65, had been missing since January when he went for a hike in the Mount Baldy wilderness.
The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department reported that Sands was last known to be in the Baldy Bowl area of Mount Baldy, located approximately 45 miles from downtown Los Angeles, on January 13.
His manager, Sarah Jackson, released a statement saying that Julian Sands died “in a place he loved, doing what he loved.”
Authorities revealed on Tuesday, June 27, 2023, that Sands was hiking in the Angeles National Forest, which had been rendered treacherous by icy conditions following a series of Pacific storms that had hit the area.
The storms had produced snow, damaged roads, and led to the closure of trails.
On June 24, hikers in the Mount Baldy area discovered human remains, which they reported to the Fontana Sheriff’s Station. The remains were then sent to the coroner’s office for identification and later confirmed to be Julian Sands’s.
The mountainous area, blanketed with snow and ice, presented challenges to search and rescue teams. The sheriff’s department revealed that some parts of the mountain were inaccessible due to steep terrains and ravines being covered with over 10 feet of ice and snow.
Since Sands was reported missing in January, there have been eight ground and air searches, involving volunteers who have worked over 500 hours in the efforts to find him. His cellphone activity indicated that it ceased on January 13, and there was no further communication with the device.
Julian Sands, born in Yorkshire, England, began his career with a notable role in the NBC miniseries “The Sun Also Rises” in 1984. He gained acclaim for his performance in the 1985 film “A Room With a View,” which won the Academy Award for Best Picture.
He also appeared in the Academy Award-winning movie “The Killing Fields” and had roles in TV shows such as “24” and “Smallville”.
In a 2020 interview with the U.K.’s Guardian, Sands recounted a near-death experience during a climb in the Andes Mountains in the early 1990s. When asked when he was happiest, he poignantly responded, “Close to a mountain summit on a glorious cold morning.”
His manager, Sarah Jackson, stated, “He was a great friend and client. He chose interesting projects that mattered to him and was adored by everyone who worked with him. We are filled with the most beautiful memories.”
Agent Chris Roe shared similar sentiments, labeling Sands as a lover of his craft and an absolute professional.
His wife and three adult children survive Julian Sands. The entertainment industry and fans worldwide mourn his passing.
