Missing British actor Julian Sands has been confirmed dead. He was 65.
Human remains discovered just days ago near where Sands disappeared in January have been identified as his, authorities said this morning.
“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 San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department said in a statement.
Watch the video above.
READ MORE: Inside Kyle Sandilands and Tegan Kynaston’s lavish honeymoon
“The manner of death is still under investigation, pending further test results,” the statement continued.
“We would like to extend our gratitude to all the volunteers that worked tirelessly to locate Mr. Sands.”
Just days ago, human remains had been discovered by hikers in Mount Baldy in California, where Sands had gone missing while hiking in January. The remains were then reportedly taken to the San Bernardino County Coroner for identification.
The tragic end comes just days after a renewed search was spearheaded by the San Bernardino Sheriff’s Office, which had been leading the searches for the missing actor for the last six months.
READ MORE: Lewis Capaldi takes ‘break from touring for forseeable future’
The searches were made more difficult by wild and uncharacteristic weather in the local region.
Sands was reported missing in January after setting out to hike on Mount Baldy, which rises more than 10,000 feet [approx. 3048 metres] east of Los Angeles and has been pounded by severe storms during Northern Hemisphere’s winter.
On Friday, after the most recent search began, Sands’ family released their first statement since the actor initially went missing six months ago.
READ MORE: Jennifer Lawrence addresses Liam Hemsworth affair rumours
“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,” the statement said.
At the time of his disappearance, Sands’ family said:
“Our heartfelt thanks to the compassionate members of the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department who are coordinating the search for our beloved Julian, not least the heroic search teams listed below who are braving difficult conditions on the ground and in the air to bring Julian home,” the statement read.
Sands’ son, Henry, also released a statement in April in which he thanked the San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department for their continued efforts in rescuing his father.
“I am hugely appreciative for all the efforts made so far from the volunteer search and rescue climbers and the San Bernardino county sheriff team to bring my father home,” Henry Sands told The Times.
For a daily dose of 9Honey, subscribe to our newsletter here