Julian Sands Went for a Hike 3 Years Ago and Was Never Heard from Again. Months Later, Police Finally Had a Breakthrough in the Case

Actor Julian Sands disappeared during a hike on Mount Baldy in southern California three years ago on Jan. 13, 2023. The search for the star ended in tragedy when he was confirmed to be dead five months later on June 27, 2023.

The British actor was best known for roles in films like A Room with a View, Warlock and Arachnophobia. He had three children: a son, Henry, whom he shared with ex-wife Sarah Sands, and daughters Natalya and Imogen, whom he shared with wife Evgenia Citkowitz.

On Jan. 13, 2023, the Smallville star was reported missing by Citkowitz after he had set out to hike California’s Mount Baldy. The spot was Sands’ “favorite place” when he was in Los Angeles, as his brother Nick later told the Craven Herald & Pioneer.

Searches continued for more than five months before Sands’ remains were found on June 24, 2023, by a group of hikers.

So, what exactly happened to the actor? Here’s everything to know about Julian Sands’ death, including what his family has said about the hiking accident.

When did Julian Sands die?

The exact date that Sands died is unknown due to the length of time it took to find his body. He died between the dates of Jan. 13, 2023, when he was reported missing, and June 24, 2023, when his remains were found. Authorities confirmed his death on June 27.

The San Bernardino County sheriff’s department warned of a dangerous situation for Mount Baldy hikers on their Facebook page just days after Sands’ disappearance on Jan. 18.

“Due to the high winds, the snow has turned to ice making hiking extremely dangerous,” the post read. “Teams have responded to 14 rescue missions on Mt Baldy and in the surrounding area. These rescue missions have been for lost, stranded and/or injured hikers.”

The department also noted that their rescue efforts had been affected, stating, “Sheriff’s Search and Rescue efforts are often hampered by poor weather along with dangerous avalanche conditions.“

What was Julian Sands’ cause of death?

The actor’s official cause of death was ruled as “undetermined” by the coroner, an information officer for the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department in San Bernardino, Calif., confirmed to PEOPLE on July 24, 2023.

According to the officer, the decision to classify Sands’ death as such was the result of the deteriorated condition of his body.

“This is common when dealing with cases of this type,” the officer said.

While the location of Sands’ body in Goode Canyon could suggest a fall, the Los Angeles Times reported that he may have been a victim of an avalanche, been injured or gotten lost.

Where was Julian Sands’ body found?

Bill Dwyer and a group of other unnamed hikers found Sands in a flat area of Mount Baldy known as Goode Canyon.

They spotted him after first noticing his boots, trekking poles, a pile of clothing and a wallet containing his driver’s license.

“It was surreal,” Dwyer later told the Los Angeles Times.

According to the newspaper, members of Sands’ search and rescue team had previously searched the area after receiving a ping from the actor’s cell phone from a nearby ridge on the Baldy Bowl trail.

“If they had gone another 600 feet farther down, they might have found him,” search team member Donna Newlins told the publication.

Why did it take so long to find Julian Sands?

After Sands was reported missing, eight separate searches were conducted by authorities, both from the sky and on the ground, with 500 hours of man time logged and $100,000 spent on resources, per the Los Angeles Times.

In part, search parties were unable to locate Sands’ remains due to dangerous weather conditions.

A final search was conducted on June 17, 2023, which included more than 80 search and rescue volunteers and staff members. They were supported by two helicopters and drone crews, according to a statement from San Bernardino sheriff’s department.

Sands’ family issued a statement via the San Bernardino County sheriff’s X account on June 21, 2023, writing, “We are deeply grateful to the search teams and coordinators who have worked tirelessly to find Julian.”

The actor’s remains were found by a group of hikers three days later.

What was the public reaction to Julian Sands’ death?

Sands’ funeral details were kept private by the family, but several people close to the actor publicly spoke out about his death.

His ex-wife Sarah told the Daily Mail in August 2023 that he was a “restless” and “curious” person.

“Both artistically and geographically an adventurer,” she said. “I couldn’t imagine him being imprisoned in any way; through illness or old age.”

Sands’ manager Sarah Jackson said in a statement to PEOPLE that “Julian was a great friend and client … He was a passionate climber, and we draw consolation from knowing that he passed in a place he loved, doing what he loved.”