Julian Sands missing – latest news: Photos of actor shared as children join California search party

Julian Sands, the British star of films such as A Room With a View and Arachnophobia, has been identified as the hiker who has been missing in a California mountain range since last week.

Sands, 65, has been missing in the Mount Baldy area since Friday 13 January, according to the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department.

The actor was thought to have been somewhere on the popular Baldy Bowl Trail, which climbs 3,900 feet over 4.5 miles to the highest summit in the San Gabriel Mountains.

Search and rescue crews looking for Sands had to suspend the search over the weekend because of avalanche threat, a department spokesperson told CNN, with authorities continuing to use drones.

The Independent understands that Sands’ son Henry has joined the search. He is retracing the route his father took, with the assistance of an experienced climber.

California has been hit by a series of violent winter storms that have brought flooding and major snowfall in the past few weeks.

Sands, who lives in north Hollywood and has appeared in more than 150 movies and television shows during his career, most recently starred in the horror film The Ghosts of Monday.

Among his forthcoming releases is a thriller called Double Soul, co-starring F Murray Abraham.

Key points

• Actor was reported missing after going hiking on 13 January

• Ground rescue operation currently halted due to avalanche threat

• Fans and peers send well wishes and prayers on social media

• Sands’ son Henry has joined the search

Why was the British actor in LA?

21:10 , Inga Parkel

While Sands was originally born and raised in the UK, he later moved to Hollywood in the 1980s to pursue a career in American films.

Some of his bigger titles include The Killing Fields (1984), A Room with a View (1985), Warlock (1989), Arachnophobia (1990), Boxing Helena (1993) and Leaving Las Vegas (1995).

Sands described as ‘a friend bound by Homeric qualities of loyalty and living life to the full'

20:24 , Tom Murray

In a statement shared exclusively with The Independent, a friend of Sands described him as “a Byronesque romantic and an adventurer who is drawn to the extremes of nature”.

“Julian is wild and never contained by rules or boundaries,” they said.

“He is deeply inspired by the Romantic poets and his performances of their work are spellbinding and come from a passionate love of literature.

“He is a friend bound by Homeric qualities of loyalty and living life to the full.

“He takes no prisoners and yet is as gentle and generous and sensitive as the poets he so admired.”

Picture exclusive: Last known images of Sands mountaineering shared with The Independent

19:57 , Tom Murray

Sands’s family has shared the last known images of him mountaineering exclusively with The Independent.

A family member told The Independent: “This is how he would love to be seen, doing what he loved best – a heroic mountaineer, and thrilled to send a picture of him looking so happy to share with his beloved grandson, Billy.”

And a friend described him as “a Byronesque romantic and an adventurer who is drawn to the extremes of nature, relishing the freedom of mountains”.

Sands was scaling a section of the 14,783ft Weisshorn when the colourful pictures were taken.

Read more:

‘What he loved best’: Last pictures actor Julian Sands sent from snow-clad mountain

Mount Baldy is considered one of the most dangerous peaks in the US to climb

19:00 , Inga Parkel

In recent years, several experienced hikers have died due to Mount Baldy’s icy terrain. It’s considered one of the most dangerous peaks to climb in the US.

What weather conditions did Sands disappear in?

18:30 , Inga Parkel

Sands was believed to have been hiking the popular Baldy Bowl Trail in the Mount Baldy area, which at the moment is said to be experiencing snow showers.

The actor has been missing since Friday 13 January, and according to weather forecasts, 16cm (6 inches) of snow are predicted to have fallen in the 48 hours between Sunday 15 of January at 10AM and Tuesday 17 of January at 10AM PST.

17:50 , Louis Chilton

More detail about the ongoing search can be found here...

Prolific British film star Julian Sands goes missing in California mountains

17:10 , Louis Chilton

Police have revealed that two hikers have died within the last four weeks attempting to climb the trail on Mount Baldy and the surrounding area.

“The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department is asking everyone to follow these simple tips to keep yourself and others safe,” they wrote.

• Heed all posted warning signs

• Look at weather conditions (both current and forecasted) for the area

• Make sure you have the proper gear, training and are properly prepared for alpine conditions (Crampons, ice axe, proper clothing)

• Hike with a partner

• Bring a tracking or GPS device such as a SPOT Device or INREACH Device

• Make sure your cell phone has a full charge and bring a charged extra power pack for it

• Let someone know where and when you are going, and what time you will be back

• Most importantly- If you don’t know, please don’t go!

Read the full Facebook post here.

16:30 , Louis Chilton

To reshare, in case you missed it...

A vehicle believed to be Julian Sands’ car has been located by authorities near the trail.

See the video here:

Julian Sands’ car discovered as search for missing actor continues

15:50 , Louis Chilton

More of a detailed look at his career and life here...

Julian Sands, the prolific star of Arachnophobia, missing in California

15:11 , Louis Chilton

It’s a testament to the range of Sands’ talent that everybody seems to be sharing different favourite performances from him.

Whether it’s playing villains, or sidekicks, or romantic leads, there seems to be no end to the ways Sands has connected with audiences.

Take Ken Russell’s Gothic, for example...

14:40 , Louis Chilton

Friends of Julian Sands –including Rufus Sewell, Barbara Crampton, Frances Fisher and Elizabeth Perkins have shared messages of concern for the actor on social media.

Read more...

‘Please let him be okay’: Friends fear for missing British actor Julian Sands

14:10 , Louis Chilton

A bit more information on the storms that have hit California in recent days.

The extreme weather conditions have already complicated search and rescue efforts.

Read more...

Last in series of deadly California storms dumps 50 inches of snow in just three days

13:42 , Roisin O'Connor

British actor Julian Sands has gone missing while hiking in southern California.

The prolific film and TV star was reported missing by his wife, the writer Evgenia Citkowitz, after going hiking in the San Gabriel mountains on Friday 13 January. He is a keen hiker, who once described his happiest moment as “close to a mountain summit on a glorious cold morning”.

Authorities are carrying out an extensive search-and-rescue mission for the 65-year-old actor, though extreme weather conditions had caused delays and interruptions. His adult son, Henry, is assisting in the search with an experienced climber.

Julian Sands, the prolific star of Arachnophobia, missing in California

13:40 , Louis Chilton

The Archers and Casualty star Lisa Bowerman also among those sharing concern for Sands.

“Crikey. Julian. Hope this ends on a positive note. Deeply worrying,” she wrote.

13:09 , Louis Chilton

Sands has long spoken openly about his love of hiking.

In a 2020 interview with The Guardian, the actor revealed that he was at his “happiest” when he is “close to a mountain summit on a glorious cold morning”.

12:38 , Louis Chilton

Authorities have found what is believed to be Sands’ car, near the hike route.

Footage shows the vehicle being towed away as officials continue the search.

More here:

Julian Sands’ car discovered as search for missing actor continues

12:00 , Louis Chilton

Read the full story here...

Prolific British film star Julian Sands goes missing in California mountains

11:25 , Louis Chilton

Writer-director Ted Geoghegan was also among those to share a message with followers on Twitter.

“I am not a praying man,” he wrote. “I do not believe in higher powers. But I certainly hope dear, sweet Julian Sands is okay.

“Five days outside in freezing rain is no joke, and I know we would all love for him to come out this mess all right.”

10:55 , Louis Chilton

A video breakdown of the story so far, with the search ongoing.

10:25 , Louis Chilton

The Sherrif’s Department has also issued a warning on Facebook, which includes a list of precautions for hikers.

“Over the last four weeks, San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue (SAR) Teams have responded to 14 rescue missions on Mt Baldy and in the surrounding area,” the post reads.

“These rescue missions have been for lost, stranded and/or injured hikers. Unfortunately, during these past 4 weeks, two hikers did not survive after falling and injuring themselves.

“Please know the current conditions on Mt Baldy are adverse and extremely dangerous. Due to the high winds, the snow has turned to ice making hiking extremely dangerous. Sheriff’s Search and Rescue efforts are often hampered by poor weather along with dangerous avalanche conditions. The recent storms that brought the snow and ice conditions are not favorable for hikers, even those that feel they have a high level of experience.”

09:54 , Louis Chilton

The Independent understands that Sands’ son Henry has joined the search in California.

He is retracing the route his father took, with the assistance of an experienced climber.

Henry is Sands’ child from his previous marriage to journalist Sarah Sands (née Harvey).

Sands also shares two adult daughters, Imogen and Natalya, with his current wife, the author Evgenia Citkowitz.

09:27 , Louis Chilton

The full statement from the San Bernadinho County Sherrif:

“Because of avalanche risks and trail conditions, the ground crews were pulled off the mountain on Saturday evening.

“However, we continue to search by helicopter and drones when weather permits. We will schedule another ground search when the weather improves, and it is safe for our ground crews.”

08:49 , Louis Chilton

Director Elliot Blake has also responded to the news of Sands’ disappearance.

“Wow. Julian Sands was in the first movie I ever worked on, and he was really nice to me and the other production assistants,” he wrote on Twitter.

“I hope he’s found soon and that he’s safe.”

‘A friend and an inspiration'

08:22 , Ellie Harrison

Samuel West, who starred with Sands in 2004’s Sword of Xanten, tweeted this morning: “Please, please let Julian Sands be OK. A friend and an inspiration. Awful news.”

Many have also been sharing this classic scene between Sands and Helena Bonham Carter from 1985 film A Room With a View.

Ground rescue operation was halted over the weekend due to avalanche threat

07:51 , Ellie Harrison

California has been hit by a series of violent winter storms in the past few weeks.

The sheriff’s department said that it has launched 14 search and rescue missions in the Mount Baldy area alone in the past month, with two hikers dying on the mountain.

Drones are continuing the search for Sands while it is too dangerous for people to go on the mountain, and a ground search will resume as soon as possible.

Many have been posting well wishes for Sand on social media

07:46 , Ellie Harrison

British film producer Cassian Elwes said he was “devastated” and was praying for Sands.

“A very close family friend who was an adventurer in everything he did,” he wrote on Twitter.

Actor Jim Piddock called Sands a “wonderfully talented and unique man and a delightful, generous friend” and added he was “hoping for a miracle”.

Fellow actor Melanie Kinnaman wrote: “Our friend Julian Sands has been missing from a hiking trip in the mountains of Southern California for nearly one week... Please send prayers for his safe return.”