British actor confirmed dead after remains found in California mountains

Hikers found the remains of a body on Saturday morning, which officials have now confirmed is Sands.

The star, who also appeared in 2011's The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo alongside Daniel Craig, was from the UK but is said to have moved to the US with his family around 2020.

A statement released by the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department on Tuesday said: "The identification process for the body located on Mt Baldy on 24 June, 2023, has been completed and was positively identified as 65-year-old Julian Sands of North Hollywood.

"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 try to locate Mr Sands."

Sands was said to have been an experienced mountaineer and was reported missing on January 13 after he failed to return from a trek in the area.

The actor - who starred in films Warlock (1989) and Leaving Las Vegas (1995) - vanished just days after his birthday.

It was reported that his car was found less than a week after he vanished and police were thought to be looking into mobile phone data as part of their search efforts for him.

Among those said to have searched for Sands were his three children, who reportedly joined the search team earlier this year.

The actor's family have released a statement, in which they said: "We are deeply grateful to the search teams and co-ordinators who have worked tirelessly to find Julian.

"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 previously said he was happiest when he was "close to a mountain summit on a glorious cold morning".

He is survived by his wife Evgenia Citkowitz and their two children, Natalya and Imogen, as well as by his son Henry from a previous marriage.