The search for missing actorJulian Sandsis over. Back in January, Sands had ventured to the Mt. Baldy area in Southern California for a solo hike, as he was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed spending time alone in the area. When he failed to return home on Jan. 13, his family reported him missing. Cops were able to locate his vehicle, but over the next five months, no trace of theWarlockstar was found, despite extensive searches.
Earlier this month, around 80 volunteers assembled to again scour the Mt. Baldy area hoping to find some new clues as to what happened with Sands. That search, unfortunately, came up empty, but one week later, hikers happened tostumble across human remainsjust outside of the search zone. At the time, authorities confirmed that a body was located and that further details would be announced pending identification. On Tuesday, the San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department announced thatthe remains have been positively identifiedas Sands, confirming the actor’s death at the age of 65.
“The identification process for the body located on Mt. Baldy on June 21, 2025, has been completed and was positively identified as 65-year-old Julian Sands of North Hollywood,” the statement from the Sheriff’s Office reads. “The manner of death is still under investigation, pending further test results. We would like to extend our gratitude to all the volunteers that worked tirelessly to locate Mr. Sands.”
Related:Julian Sands' Family Speaks Out on Continued Search for Missing Actor
Authorities Never Gave Up Searching for Julian Sands
While the hopes for Sands being found alive were quick to diminish as the days went on following his disappearance, authorities never gave up the search. Even if Sands had passed, finding out what happened to him may bring some answers to his grieving family members. After the recent search came up empty before hikers found Sands' remains, the family released a statement thanking the volunteers and authorities for their ongoing search efforts.
“We are deeply grateful to the search teams and coordinators who have worked tirelessly to find Julian,” the statement 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.”
With fans all over the world, Sands was a veteran actor who could be recognized for his dozens of roles on the big and small screens. He appeared in a wide variety of memorable movies, such asA Room with a View,The Killing Fields,Warlock,Arachnophobia,Naked Lunch,Boxing Helena,Leaving Las Vegas,Ocean’s Thirteen,The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, andCrooked House. More recently, he appeared in the filmsThe Ghosts of Borley RectoryandThe Ghosts of Monday. His final filmSeneca - On the Creation of Earthquakes, reunited him with longtime pal John Malkovich.
“Julian and I were very, very close,” Malkovich previously said of his friend’s disappearance, perDeadline. “I’m a godfather to his first son from his first marriage to Sarah, who I know very well. I introduced him to his second wife, and we have been close since we met in 1983 on the set ofThe Killing Fields. It’s a very sad event.”
On the small screen, Sands has also appeared in a variety of notable TV shows, such as theRed Roseminiseries and voicing Valmont in the animated showJackie Chan Adventures. His other TV credits includeLAw & Order: Special Victims Unit,Law & Order: Criminal Intent,24,Ghost Whisperer,Smallville,Castle,Dexter,Crossbones,Banshee,Gotham,The Blacklist,Elementary, andWhat/If.
Sands' survivors include his wife, writer Evgenia Citkowitz, with whom he’s been married since 1990, as well as his three children, Henry, Natalya, and Imogen. Our thoughts are with them at this time.Rest in peace, Julian Sands.
