Human remains found in search for missing actor
Californian hikers have discovered human remains in the wilderness area where actor Julian Sands disappeared more than five months ago, according to authorities.
Officials have not yet identified the victim.
The remains were transported to the coroner’s office for confirmation, which is expected to be completed next week, The New York Post reported.
Sands was reported missing on January 13 after he failed to return from a hiking trip in Mount Baldy, located about 72 kilometres east of Los Angeles.
The search – consisting of 80 volunteers and officials – resumed on June 12 after a temporary suspension.
Police have conducted eight ground and air searches since the actor's disappearance on the mountain.
“Despite the recent warmer weather, portions of the mountain remain inaccessible due to extreme alpine conditions. Multiple areas include steep terrain and ravines, which still have 10-plus feet [about 16 metres] of ice and snow,” San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Office said.
Sands’ family spoke publicly for the first time since he vanished, releasing a statement on June 23 to express their gratitude for the ongoing search and rescue efforts.
“We are deeply grateful to the search teams and co-ordinators who have worked tirelessly to find Julian,” the family said.
“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.”
Sands is known for starring in films such as Arachnophobia, A Room with a View, Warlock and Leaving Las Vegas.
Mt. Baldy is renowned for being one of the most dangerous peaks to climb in California.
According to the Los Angeles Times, six people have died with crews conducting over 100 searches as daredevils and avid hikers alike are drawn to the daunting challenge of the more-than-16,000 metre climb.
In January, officials found hiker Jin Chung, 75, who had become lost on Mount Baldy and was hospitalised with a leg injury and other weather-related injuries.
Before Chung’s brief disappearance, a mother of four fell more than 500 to 700 feet to her death.
Crystal Paula Gonzalez, renowned as a “hiking queen”, slipped on the steep icy hillside and later died from her injuries, officials reported.
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