The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department has confirmed that human remains discovered in a mountainous area in California belong to British actor Julian Sands. Sands, 65 years old, had been reported missing over five months ago in the Mount Baldy region of the San Gabriel mountains. Hikers stumbled upon the remains on Saturday morning, and after further investigation, the coroner positively identified them as Sands’ remains. The sheriff’s department released a statement expressing their gratitude to the volunteers who dedicated their time and efforts in the search for Sands. However, the cause of death is still under investigation, pending additional test results.
A Life of Adventure and Passion
Julian Sands, known for his roles in films such as “A Room With A View,” “Arachnophobia,” “Leaving Las Vegas,” and “Warlock,” as well as TV appearances in shows like “24,” “Smallville,” and “Banshee,” was an avid hiker and mountaineer. His love for nature and the arts was deeply ingrained in his character. Sands’ family, in a statement released through the sheriff’s department, expressed their appreciation for the search teams and coordinators who tirelessly worked to find him. They fondly remembered Sands as a devoted father, husband, explorer, and collaborative performer.
Sands’ agent, Sarah Jackson, described him as a dear friend and client who chose projects that held significance to him. Jackson highlighted Sands’ passion for climbing and found solace in the knowledge that he passed away in a place he cherished, engaged in his beloved activity. She emphasized the beautiful memories they shared with Sands.
In recent years, Sands had taken to the stage in one-man shows, reciting the poetry of renowned writers such as Harold Pinter, John Keats, and Percy Shelley. Sands expressed his happiness in a newspaper interview in 2020, stating that he felt most alive when he was close to reaching the summit of a mountain on a crisp, cold morning. He even recounted a harrowing experience during a climb in the Andes in the early 1990s when he and three others were caught in a storm above 20,000 feet. While some climbers near them tragically perished, Sands and his companions were fortunate to survive.
Sands shared his philosophy on climbing in a 2020 interview with Thrive Global. He believed it wasn’t about ego or a rush to conquer the summit heroically. Instead, he saw climbing as an act of supplication, sacrifice, and humility. It was a way to dissolve self-consciousness and harmonize with the surrounding environment. He saw these walks as an opportunity to lose oneself and become a vessel of energy.
Born in Yorkshire, Sands was the middle child among five brothers, raised by a single mother. He had been married to journalist Evgenia Citkowitz since 1990, and they had two adult daughters together. Prior to that, from 1984 to 1987, Sands was married to author and journalist Sarah Harvey, with whom he had a son.
The tragic discovery of Julian Sands’ remains brings closure to the months-long search for the missing actor. His love for nature, the arts, and his adventurous spirit will be fondly remembered by those who knew him. Sands’ passing serves as a reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of cherishing our passions and loved ones while we can.
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