Julian Sands missing – latest news: Fears grow for British actor amid ‘heroic’ efforts from search teams
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Julian Sands’s family has thanked California authorities for their “heroic” efforts in the search for the missing British actor.
“Our heartfelt thanks to the compassionate members of the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department who are coordinating the search for our beloved Julian, not least the heroic search teams listed below who are braving difficult conditions on the ground and in the air to bring Julian home,” the statement read.
The search for the Warlock star has entered its 11th day amid a warning of strong winds and gusts of up to 62 to 67mph.
On Monday 23 January, the National Weather Service reported high winds affecting the Santa Ana mountain region and San Bernandino, close to the San Gabriel mountains where Sands is believed to have gone missing.
An alert warned of possible power outages, travel disruption and a risk of falling trees: “The strongest winds will be along the south-facing slopes and foothill areas, below the Morongo Pass, and through and below the Santa Ana Mountain canyons,” the report said.
Last week, ground crews were forced to halt the search for Sands due to the avalanche risk in the area.
Key points
Sands’ family issues statement thanking authorities for search effort
Julian Sands: A timeline of missing actor’s disappearance
Is the climate crisis behind a string of California hiker tragedies?
The sheriff department’s update about the search
Sands’ family have shared a statement thanking authorities for the “heroic” search effort, which is still ongoing.
05:30 , Peony Hirwani
“Our heartfelt thanks to the compassionate members of the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department who are coordinating the search for our beloved Julian, not least the heroic search teams listed below who are braving difficult conditions on the ground and in the air to bring Julian home,” it read.
At least 19 people killed in California storms
10:49 , Peony Hirwani
California has been hit by a string of violent winter storms that have brought flooding and major snowfall, prompting power cuts and evacuations and leading to the deaths of at least 19 people.
According to the sheriff’s department, it has launched 14 search and rescue missions in the Mount Baldy area alone over the past month, with two hikers dying on the mountain.
In addition to Julian Sands, rescuers in Los Angeles county are also currently searching the San Gabriel range for missing 61-year-old hiker Robert Gregory.
10:09 , Peony Hirwani
Air search continues for missing British actor in California.
Julian Sands: Air search continues for missing British actor in California
Frank Marshall sends wishes to Julian Sands’s family
09:29 , Peony Hirwani
“Hope and thoughts going out to the family of my dear friend and wonderful actor, Julian Sands, who is missing on Mt Baldy. Let’s all pray for a miracle,” Frank Marshall wrote on Twitter.
Hope and thoughts going out to the family of my dear friend and wonderful actor, Julian Sands, who is missing on Mt. Baldy. Let's all pray for a miracle.
— Frank Marshall (@LeDoctor) January 19, 2023
08:49 , Peony Hirwani
As we enter day 11 of the search for Julian Sands on Mt. Baldy, we are reminded of the sheer determination & selflessness of all of the people who have aided in this search. We will continue to utilize the resources available to us. The family would like to share this statement: pic.twitter.com/owO2o97f16
— San Bernardino County Sheriff (@sbcountysheriff) January 23, 2023
Actor Matthew Modine prays for Julian Sands’s safe return
08:29 , Peony Hirwani
“Julian Sands is a wonderful man, husband, father, and friend to so so many. A gentle, kind soul. Keep candles burning for his safe return from the mountain he loves,” Matthew Modine wrote on Twitter.
#JulianSands is a wonderful man, husband, father, and friend to so so many. A gentle, kind soul. Keep candles burning for his safe return from the mountain he loves. 🙏🏽❤️🍀
— Matthew Modine (@MatthewModine) January 19, 2023
Mount Baldy conditions ‘extremely dangerous’ since Sands went missing
07:49 , Peony Hirwani
The conditions on Mount Baldy, where rescuers are searching for Julian Sands, are “adverse and extremely dangerous” and are not favourable even for highly experienced hikers, police warned this week.
“Due to the high winds, the snow has turned to ice making hiking extremely dangerous,” San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department said on Friday.
“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.”
The sheriff department’s update about the search
06:59 , Peony Hirwani
“As we enter day 11 of the search for Julian Sands on Mt Baldy, we are reminded of the sheer determination and selflessness of all of the people who have aided in this search,” the authority said.
“We will continue to utilise the resources available to us.”
Is the climate crisis behind a string of California hiker tragedies?
06:19 , Peony Hirwani
Josh Marcus writes:
Julian Sands is the latest hiker to go missing. Is climate change to blame?
No fixed deadline for end of search, authorities say
04:45 , Peony Hirwani
US authorities have said that there is still “no hard deadline” for calling off the search for Julian Sands.
San Bernardino County Sheriff’s department said that the incident was still being classified as a search and rescue operation.
“We will schedule another ground search when the weather improves, and it is safe for our ground crews,” a spokesperson from the department said.
British film producer Cassian Elewes shared a heartfelt message
04:01 , Tom Murray
Elewes also shared a note about Sands on Twitter.
“I’ve known since Friday that my friend Julian Sands has been missing on mt baldy. I’m devastated. A very close family friend who was an adventurer in everything he did. I’ve said many prayers,” he wrote.
I’ve known since Friday that my friend Julian Sands has been missing on mt baldy. I’m devastated. A very close family friend who was an adventurer in everything he did. I’ve said many prayers.
— cassian elwes (@cassianelwes) January 18, 2023
Reverand Richard Coles called Sands ‘dazzling’
03:00 , Tom Murray
“I knew #JulianSands a bit back in the 80s when his brother shared a mouse-infested flat with my best friend,” Coles wrote on Twitter.
“He was so dazzling and so delightful and everyone who loves him is beside themselves with worry.”
I knew #JulianSands a bit back in the 80s when his brother shared a mouse-infested flat with my best friend. He was so dazzling and so delightful and everyone who loves him is beside themselves with worry. I’m praying for his safe return. pic.twitter.com/t8gkDtzDEE
— Richard Coles (@RevRichardColes) January 19, 2023
Federal agencies have joined the search for Sands
01:58 , Tom Murray
A reminder that both national and state officials are now working with the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s office to locate Sands.
“We are working with state and federal agencies that have cell phone forensics to assist us in pinpointing a location, but so far no new info has been developed,” The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s office said in a statement shared Friday (20 January).
Read more:
Federal agencies join the search for missing British actor Julian Sands
00:30 , Louis Chilton
Here’s a bit of a breakdown of Sands’ career and life, for anyone less familiar with his backstory.
An actor of talent and unusual range, Sands has appeared in more than 150 film and TV projects across his career.
Read more:
Julian Sands, the prolific star of Arachnophobia, missing in California
Monday 23 January 2023 23:30 , Louis Chilton
In relaying the family’s statement, the sheriff’s department also issued an update of its own.
“As we enter day 11 of the search for Julian Sands on Mt Baldy, we are reminded of the sheer determination & selflessness of all of the people who have aided in this search,” the authority said.
“We will continue to utilise the resources available to us.”
Monday 23 January 2023 22:30 , Louis Chilton
More details, including the family’s full statement, here:
Julian Sands’ family thanks authorities for ‘heroic’ efforts as search continues
Monday 23 January 2023 21:52 , Louis Chilton
Sands’ family have shared a statement thanking authorities for the “heroic” search effort, which is still ongoing.
“Our heartfelt thanks to the compassionate members of the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department who are coordinating the search for our beloved Julian, not least the heroic search teams listed below who are braving difficult conditions on the ground and in the air to bring Julian home,” it read.
Monday 23 January 2023 20:56 , Louis Chilton
The Mount Baldy bowl area where Sands is believed to have been hiking has already prompted more than two dozen incidents of lost or injured hikers over the past month, according to authorities.
Two hikers have been killed in this time after falling and injuring themselves.
CBS News Los Angeles reported that one of these people, indentified as Crystal Paula Gonzalez, was an experienced hiker who previously climbed to the peak of Mount Whitney.
Monday 23 January 2023 20:00 , Louis Chilton
No real updates today, but a reminder of the most recent developments...
It was reported over the weekend that Sands’ phone pings appeared to show movement on the day he was reported missing.
Read more...
Julian Sands’ phone shows movement the day he was reported missing in California
Monday 23 January 2023 19:20 , Louis Chilton
ICYMI: The last pictures Julian Sands sent to his grandson, from atop a mountain peak.
The images show the missing actor climbing mountains in the Alps.
Read more...
‘What he loved best’: Last pictures actor Julian Sands sent from snow-clad mountain
Monday 23 January 2023 18:40 , Louis Chilton
A bit more on the ongoing air search for Sands that is taking place in California...
Julian Sands: Air search continues for missing British actor in California
Monday 23 January 2023 18:00 , Louis Chilton
Touching anecdote about once meeting Sands shared by another mountain climber here.
“A beautiful soul.”
Praying for Julian Sands, who we got to know on Mt. Kilimanjaro. He regaled us with Shakespeare and Keats and was the first person to capture us as an engaged couple. He even carried a hunk of the mountain down to present to us. He is such a beautiful soul. pic.twitter.com/M0UFD1ue7S
— Sarah Crosby (@sarah_parkman) January 22, 2023
Monday 23 January 2023 17:23 , Louis Chilton
Actor and comedian Diedrich Bader shared this message about Sands on Twitter.
“ I hope Julian Sands is okay. I was remembering the sheer perfection of his gesture before it rains in A Room with a View.
“He taps his chest w open hands and raises his chin in joyful anticipation of the downpour. It was sensuous and ecstatic Byronic and simply beautifully alive.”
I hope Julian Sands is okay
I was remembering the sheer perfection of his gesture before it rains in A ROOM WITH A VIEW
He taps his chest w open hands and raises his chin in joyful anticipation of the downpour
It was sensuous and ecstatic Byronic and simply beautifully alive— Diedrich Bader (@bader_diedrich) January 22, 2023
Monday 23 January 2023 16:40 , Louis Chilton
Is the climate crisis behind a string of California hiker tragedies?
Sobering report from Josh Marcus.
Julian Sands is the latest hiker to go missing. Is climate change to blame?
Monday 23 January 2023 16:00 , Louis Chilton
Another message hoping for the best, and paying tribute to Sands’ excellent work in Gothic, directed by Ken Russell.
“Casting was never wilder or more beautiful.”
Last night we rewatched Ken Russell's "Gothic," starring Gabriel Byrne as Byron, Julian Sands as Shelley, Vanessa Richardson as Mary, Miriam Cyr as Claire, and Timothy Spall as Polidori.
Casting was never wilder or more beautiful.
Praying that Sands will be found safe, somehow. pic.twitter.com/hU7NdqCb8I— Anne Margaret Daniel 🌻 (@venetianblonde) January 23, 2023
Monday 23 January 2023 15:20 , Louis Chilton
Reminder that authorities have confirmed there is “no hard deadline” on the search for Sands.
It’s been 10 days since he went missing, with a search still ongoing.
Monday 23 January 2023 14:40 , Louis Chilton
Messages of support and hope continue to pour in on social media as the search for the missing actor drags on.
“Keep the candles burning.”
Flat out refuse to give up hope yet. Keep the candles burning for Julian please. #JulianSands pic.twitter.com/cZ6Ht76Sva
— In Like Clint (@ClintOCoast) January 23, 2023
Last pictures actor Julian Sands sent to his grandson from snow-clad mountain peak
Monday 23 January 2023 13:57 , Peony Hirwani
ICYMI: The family of missing movie star Julian Sands say he was doing what he loved best when he vanished – as they released the last known images of him mountaineering.
With the hunt for the British actor in the California mountains entering its sixth day, poignant photographs that he sent to his grandson show him looking relaxed and happy while climbing well above the clouds.
Mr Sands, who starred in more than 150 films and television series including A Room with a View, sent the pictures of himself climbing the Weisshorn mountain in the Swiss Alps to his grandson last September.
Jane Dalton has this exclusive report:
Video report: Who is the Hollywood British actor missing in California?
Monday 23 January 2023 13:27 , Peony Hirwani
No fixed deadline for end of search, authorities say
Monday 23 January 2023 12:57 , Peony Hirwani
US authorities have said that there is still “no hard deadline” for calling off the search for Julian Sands.
San Bernardino County Sheriff’s department said that the incident was still being classified as a search and rescue operation.
“We will schedule another ground search when the weather improves, and it is safe for our ground crews,” a spokesperson from the department said.
Weather warning issued over gusts of up to 70mph
Monday 23 January 2023 12:38 , Roisin O'Connor
A weather warning of strong winds and gusts of up to 70mph has been issued, as the search for missing British actor Julian Sands enters its 10th day.
On Monday 23 January, the National Weather Service reported high winds affecting the Santa Ana mountain region and San Bernandino, close to the San Gabriel mountains where Sands is believed to have gone missing.
An alert warned of possible power outages, travel disruption and a risk of falling trees: “The strongest winds will be along the south-facing slopes and foothill areas, below the Morongo Pass, and through and below the Santa Ana Mountain canyons,” the report said.
At least 19 people killed in California storms
Monday 23 January 2023 12:17 , Peony Hirwani
California has been hit by a string of violent winter storms that have brought flooding and major snowfall, prompting power cuts and evacuations and leading to the deaths of at least 19 people.
According to the sheriff’s department, it has launched 14 search and rescue missions in the Mount Baldy area alone over the past month, with two hikers dying on the mountain.
In addition to Julian Sands, rescuers in Los Angeles county are also currently searching the San Gabriel range for missing 61-year-old hiker Robert Gregory.
‘Please let him be okay’: Friends fear for missing British actor Julian Sands
Monday 23 January 2023 11:37 , Peony Hirwani
Friends of Julian Sands said they hope he is found to be “OK” after the “awful news” the British actor was confirmed to be missing after a hiking trip in southern California.
The 65-year-old was reported missing in the Baldy Bowl area of the San Gabriel mountains on Friday evening, with searches by local authorities continuing over the weekend.
You can read a round-up of the messages here:
Mount Baldy conditions ‘extremely dangerous’ since Sands went missing
Monday 23 January 2023 10:57 , Peony Hirwani
The conditions on Mount Baldy, where rescuers are searching for Julian Sands, are “adverse and extremely dangerous” and are not favourable even for highly experienced hikers, police warned this week.
“Due to the high winds, the snow has turned to ice making hiking extremely dangerous,” San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department said on Friday.
“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.”
Julian Sands: A timeline of missing actor’s disappearance
Monday 23 January 2023 10:27 , Peony Hirwani
Julian Sands, a prolific actor with more than 150 screen credits, has gone missing while hiking.
The British star is believed to have been somewhere on the popular Baldy Bowl Trail in California, which climbs 3,900 feet over 4.5 miles to the highest summit in the San Gabriel Mountains.
Search and rescue crews are looking for Sands, with the actor’s friends, including Matthew Modine, Rufus Sewell and film producer Frank Marshall, expressing hope that he is found safely.
Read more:
A timeline of missing actor Julian Sands’ disappearance
What is the temperature at Mount Baldy?
Monday 23 January 2023 08:45 , Nicole Vassell
Julian Sands is thought to have gone missing while scaling Mount Baldy in the San Gabriel mountains of California.
Currently, the weather is 3°C (38°F).
There is a high wind warning in place for Southwestern California, with official guidance reading: “Damaging winds could blow down trees and power lines. Power outages are possible. Travel will be difficult, especially for high-profile vehicles.”
Fellow mountain climber shares tribute after bonding on Mount Kilimanjaro trip
Monday 23 January 2023 08:15 , Nicole Vassell
A mountain climber named Sarah Crosby has shared a tribute to Julian Sands, having met him during an excursion on Mount Kilimanjaro.
“Praying for Julian Sands, who we got to know on Mt. Kilimanjaro,” she wrote on Twitter on Sunday evening. “He regaled us with Shakespeare and Keats and was the first person to capture us as an engaged couple.
“He even carried a hunk of the mountain down to present to us. He is such a beautiful soul.”
Praying for Julian Sands, who we got to know on Mt. Kilimanjaro. He regaled us with Shakespeare and Keats and was the first person to capture us as an engaged couple. He even carried a hunk of the mountain down to present to us. He is such a beautiful soul. pic.twitter.com/M0UFD1ue7S
— Sarah Crosby (@sarah_parkman) January 22, 2023
Who is Julian Sands?
Monday 23 January 2023 07:45 , Nicole Vassell
As the search for Julian Sands continues in southern California, The Independent’s Louis Chilton has looked back on the actor’s life and prolific career so far.
Born in Otley, West Yorkshire in 1958, the actor began his career with supporting roles in projects such as 1984’s Oxford Blues and The Killing Fields, in which he played journalist Jon Swain.
In the years since, he has starred in many more films and won a Golden Globe for his supporting role in Leaving Las Vegas.
Read more below:
Julian Sands, the prolific star of Arachnophobia, missing in California
