Search for missing actor Julian Sands continues in 'limited capacity'

Over five months after Julian Sands went missing during a solo hike in California, local police have announced the ongoing search for the actor will continue in a "limited capacity."

The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Office released a statement Monday on the department's continued efforts to locate the "A Room with a View" actor.

Sands, 65, was reported missing on Jan. 13 while hiking a trail on Mount Baldy in Southern California, San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department spokeswoman Gloria Huerta said at the time. Authorities' search efforts, both on the ground and by air, have been paused and resumed based on a series of storms that has created dangerous mountain conditions in the area.

On Saturday, the sheriff's office conducted another search for Sands involving over 80 search and rescue volunteers, deputies and staff. Two helicopters helped search teams reach remote areas of Mount Baldy, and drone crews searched areas inaccessible to hikers on the ground.

Despite the department's efforts, Sands was still not found. Some areas of the mountain "remain inaccessible due to extreme alpine conditions," the statement explained. "Multiple areas include steep terrain and ravines, which still have 10 plus feet of ice and snow."

While Sands' missing person case remains "active," "search efforts will continue in a limited capacity," the department said. The sheriff's department has conducted eight searches, including both ground and air, to locate the actor since he went missing in January, logging over 500 volunteer searcher hours.

Sands' family has expressed gratitude to authorities for their "heroic" search efforts.

"Our heartfelt thanks to the compassionate members of the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department who are coordinating the search for our beloved Julian," the actor's family said in a statement in late January. "We are deeply touched by the outpouring of love and support.”

Sands starred opposite Helena Bonham Carter in "A Room With a View," the 1985 British romance from director James Ivory. He also had major roles in in 1989's "Warlock," 1990's "Arachnophobia," 1991's "Naked Lunch," 1993's "Boxing Helena" and 1995's "Leaving Las Vegas."

Contributing: Naledi Ushe, Edward Segarra

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Julian Sands missing: Search for actor continues in 'limited capacity'