25 Jun 2023

Body found in remote mountains where Hollywood actor disappeared

4:57 pm on 25 June 2023
CHAMBRE AVEC VUE
A ROOM WITH A VIEW
1986
de James Ivory
Julian Sands.
1900's
d'apres le roman de E.M. Forster
based on the novel by E.M. Forster
Collection CHRISTOPHEL / NZ © Goldcrest Films International - Merchant-Ivory Productions (Photo by Goldcrest Films International - / Collection Christophel / Collection ChristopheL via AFP)

Julian Sands in the 1985 film A Room With A View. Photo: GOLDCREST FILMS INTERNATIONAL / AFP

A body has been found in the remote California wilderness where actor Julian Sands disappeared in January.

A body discovered by hikers about 10am Saturday local time in wilderness near Mount Baldy in Southern California has been taken to the coroner's office for identification, the San Bernardino Sheriff's Department said in a statement.

The remains have not been identified as the missing actor, but searches for Sands have been ongoing in the area, which has been covered in heavy snow from the North American winter.

Sands, 65, is known for his roles in popular films including Leaving Las Vegas, Warlock, Ocean's 13, Arachnophobia and the TV series 24 and Smallville.

He also co-starred in the 1985 historical romance A Room With A View, which was nominated for eight Academy Awards including Best Picture.

The British actor was in the Baldy Bowl area of the San Gabriel Mountains when he was reported missing 13 January on the 3000-metre peak east of Los Angeles.

Police said they had found his car near where he was reported missing.

(FILES) In this file photo taken on September 3, 2019, British actor Julian Sands poses during the photocall for the movie "The Painted Bird" of Czech director Vaclav Marhoul, presented in competition during the 76th Venice Film Festival at Venice Lido. - Sands has been missing for a week after he went hiking in a snowy mountain range in California, authorities said on January 19, 2023, adding the search had been hampered by bad weather. Sands, 65, was in the Baldy Bowl area of Mount Baldy, outside Los Angeles in southern California, when he went missing. (Photo by Alberto PIZZOLI / AFP)

Actor Julian Sands in 2019. Photo: ALBERTO PIZZOLI / AFP

Phone pings appeared to show he was on the move two days after he was reported missing, police have said.

Sands' family released a statement on Friday NZ time and said they were "deeply grateful to the search teams and coordinators who have worked tirelessly to find Julian".

"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."

Arachnophobie
Arachnophobia
1991
Real  Frank Marshall
Julian Sands.
Collection Christophel © Hollywood Pictures / Amblin entertainment (Photo by Hollywood Pictures / Amblin ente / Collection ChristopheL via AFP)

Julian Sands in the 1991 movie 'Arachnophobia.' Photo: HOLLYWOOD PICTURES / AMBLIN ENTE

Sands has spoken previously about his love for hiking and mountain climbing, and said in 2020 he was happiest "close to a mountain summit on a glorious cold morning".

- RNZ w/wire services