Julian Sands: Outcome of search for missing actor 'may not be what we would like', say police

Police in southern California say they are "hopeful" of finding missing actor Julian Sands, but admitted the outcome of the search "may not be what we would like".

Sands has not been seen for four weeks, after first being reported missing in the Mount Baldy region of the San Gabriel mountains on 13 January.

"Regarding the search for Julian Sands, we remain hopeful but know the outcome may not be what we would like," a spokesperson for the San Bernardino County Sheriff's department said.

"Conditions on Mt Baldy remain a danger and our Aviation Division still patrols the area when they are available. We also plan to search the area by ground in the future."

Sands's family were "grateful" for the support they had received since his disappearance, the spokesperson added, but had no further public statement at this time.

The 65-year-old, was reported missing after he failed to return from a hike in January and no trace of him has so far been found.

Numerous searches for the British star have since been undertaken on foot and by air by both local and state-level agencies.

Authorities have previously used a Recco device, which is able to detect electronics and credit cards, in the hope of establishing a more exact area in which to focus search efforts.

Last month, Sand's hiking partner and friend Kevin Ryan said it was obvious "something has gone wrong" but that the actor's advanced experience and skill would "hopefully" see his safe return.

Sands was born in Yorkshire and moved to Los Angeles in 2020.

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.

More recently, in 2021 he played a chief medical officer in the Jack Lowden and Peter Capaldi-led drama Benediction.

-sky news