Julian Sands missing – latest news: California authorities continue search for Arachnophobia star

Julian Sands, the British star of films such as A Room With a View and Arachnophobia, has been identified as the hiker who has been missing in a California mountain range since last week.

Sands, 65, has been missing in the Mount Baldy area since Friday 13 January, according to the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department.

The actor was thought to have been somewhere on the popular Baldy Bowl Trail, which climbs 3,900 feet over 4.5 miles to the highest summit in the San Gabriel Mountains.

Search and rescue crews looking for Sands had to suspend the search over the weekend because of avalanche threat, a department spokesperson told CNN, with authorities continuing to use drones.

California has been hit by a series of violent winter storms that have brought flooding and major snowfall in the past few weeks.

Sands, who lives in north Hollywood and has appeared in more than 150 movies and television shows during his career, most recently starred in the horror film The Ghosts of Monday.

Among his forthcoming releases is a thriller called Double Soul co-starring F Murray Abraham.

Key points

• Actor was reported missing after going hiking on 13 January

• Ground rescue operation currently halted due to avalanche threat

• Fans and peers send well wishes and prayers on social media

09:54 , Louis Chilton

The Independent understands that Sands’ son Henry has joined the search in California.

He is retracing the route his father took, with the assistance of an experienced climber.

Henry is Sands’ child from his previous marriage to journalist Sarah Sands (née Harvey).

Sands also shares two adult daughters, Imogen and Natalya, with his current wife, the author Evgenia Citkowitz.

12:38 , Louis Chilton

Authorities have found what is believed to be Sands’ car, near the hike route.

Footage shows the vehicle being towed away as officials continue the search.

More here:

Julian Sands’ car discovered as search for missing actor continues

12:00 , Louis Chilton

Read the full story here...

Prolific British film star Julian Sands goes missing in California mountains

11:25 , Louis Chilton

Writer-director Ted Geoghegan was also among those to share a message with followers on Twitter.

“I am not a praying man,” he wrote. “I do not believe in higher powers. But I certainly hope dear, sweet Julian Sands is okay.

“Five days outside in freezing rain is no joke, and I know we would all love for him to come out this mess all right.”

10:55 , Louis Chilton

A video breakdown of the story so far, with the search ongoing.

10:25 , Louis Chilton

The Sherrif’s Department has also issued a warning on Facebook, which includes a list of precautions for hikers.

“Over the last four weeks, San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue (SAR) Teams have responded to 14 rescue missions on Mt Baldy and in the surrounding area,” the post reads.

“These rescue missions have been for lost, stranded and/or injured hikers. Unfortunately, during these past 4 weeks, two hikers did not survive after falling and injuring themselves.

“Please know the current conditions on Mt Baldy are adverse and extremely dangerous. Due to the high winds, the snow has turned to ice making hiking extremely dangerous. 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.”

09:27 , Louis Chilton

The full statement from the San Bernadinho County Sherrif:

“Because of avalanche risks and trail conditions, the ground crews were pulled off the mountain on Saturday evening.

“However, we continue to search by helicopter and drones when weather permits. We will schedule another ground search when the weather improves, and it is safe for our ground crews.”

08:49 , Louis Chilton

Director Elliot Blake has also responded to the news of Sands’ disappearance.

“Wow. Julian Sands was in the first movie I ever worked on, and he was really nice to me and the other production assistants,” he wrote on Twitter.

“I hope he’s found soon and that he’s safe.”

‘A friend and an inspiration'

08:22 , Ellie Harrison

Samuel West, who starred with Sands in 2004’s Sword of Xanten, tweeted this morning: “Please, please let Julian Sands be OK. A friend and an inspiration. Awful news.”

Many have also been sharing this classic scene between Sands and Helena Bonham Carter from 1985 film A Room With a View.

Ground rescue operation was halted over the weekend due to avalanche threat

07:51 , Ellie Harrison

California has been hit by a series of violent winter storms in the past few weeks.

The sheriff’s department said that it has launched 14 search and rescue missions in the Mount Baldy area alone in the past month, with two hikers dying on the mountain.

Drones are continuing the search for Sands while it is too dangerous for people to go on the mountain, and a ground search will resume as soon as possible.

Many have been posting well wishes for Sand on social media

07:46 , Ellie Harrison

British film producer Cassian Elwes said he was “devastated” and was praying for Sands.

“A very close family friend who was an adventurer in everything he did,” he wrote on Twitter.

Actor Jim Piddock called Sands a “wonderfully talented and unique man and a delightful, generous friend” and added he was “hoping for a miracle”.

Fellow actor Melanie Kinnaman wrote: “Our friend Julian Sands has been missing from a hiking trip in the mountains of Southern California for nearly one week... Please send prayers for his safe return.”