Fresh searches on higher ground for Julian Sands are still not possible due to poor conditions, authorities said as efforts to find the missing British actor approached the end of their second week.
An update shared by San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department on Tuesday said “numerous” ground and air searches had previously taken place in lower areas, but no evidence of the actor’s location had been found.
Sands was first reported missing on January 13 in the Baldy Bowl area of the San Gabriel mountains in southern California.
It comes as the department announced that a second hiker who had gone missing in the same area was found alive.
They added that further ground searches in areas of higher elevation were still not possible due to the conditions.
“The Sheriff’s Department is closing in on the second full week of the search for missing hiker, Julian Sands,” the online statement read.
“Numerous ground and air search efforts have taken place. As of this time, Mr. Sands has not been found and no evidence of his current location has been discovered.
“The search will continue, weather and ground conditions permitting.”
The statement added: “Regardless of precautions taken by hikers, the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department highly recommends hikers avoid hazardous mountainous areas, such as Mt Baldy, at this time.”
UPDATE: The search for Julian Sands continues by air only. The California Highway Patrol –Valley Division Air Ops from Auburn, California, is currently assisting us in the search using a RECCO device RECCO – Be Searchable. RECCO technology can detect RECCO reflective material,
— San Bernardino County Sheriff (@sbcountysheriff) January 25, 2023
On Wednesday, searches continued by air with the US authorities confirming they were using technology that can detect reflective material such as electronic devices and credit cards.
The Sheriff’s Department tweeted: “The search for Julian Sands continues by air only. The California Highway Patrol – Valley Division Air Ops from Auburn, California, is currently assisting us in the search using a Recco device.
“Recco technology can detect Recco reflective material, electronics, and in some cases, credit cards. We are hopeful our @CHP_HQ partners, Officers Hertzell & Calcutt, can pinpoint an area where we can focus our search efforts, and we thank them for their assistance. Additional information will be released when it becomes available.”
It comes after Sands’ family has praised the “heroic” efforts of Californian authorities conducting the search efforts.
In a statement, also shared by the sheriff’s department, his family said they were “deeply touched” by the support they had received in the days since his disappearance.
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
“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.
“We are deeply touched by the outpouring of love and support.”
The statement went on to list various organisations involved in the search, which included local and out-of-county forces, as well as specialised canine and cave teams.
On Monday a spokesperson for the sheriff’s department told the PA news agency that conditions were still too dangerous for ground crews to operate, and that searches would be conducted by helicopter only.
They said infrared devices have been used but there was no sign of Sands.
Federal agencies are now part of the efforts to find Sands, using mobile phone forensics to help pinpoint the actor’s location.
It was previously revealed that pings from Sands’ phone appeared to show he had been on the move heading further into the mountainous area of Baldy Bowl on the day he was reported missing.
His breakout role came as the free-spirited George in the period drama A Room With A View, in which he starred opposite Helena Bonham Carter.
He later moved to the horror genre, featuring in films such as Warlock and Arachnophobia, as well as dramatic parts on television.
More recently he played the chief medical officer in the 2021 Jack Lowden and Peter Capaldi-led drama Benediction.
From 1984 to 1987 Sands was married to future Evening Standard and Today editor Sarah Sands, with whom he has a son. He also has two daughters with journalist Evgenia Citkowitz, whom he married in 1990.
