Search Continues for Missing Actor Julian Sands in San Gabriel Mountains
British actor Julian Sands has been missing for 12 days while on an excursion to hike California’s 10,000-foot Mount Baldy, located in the San Gabriel Mountains northeast of Los Angeles.[0] The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department is coordinating the search for the 65-year-old actor, with assistance from search teams on the ground and in the air.
“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,” his family wrote in a statement.[1]
The search for Sands is further complicated by the presence of Bob Gregory of Hawthorne, California, who was reported missing by his family on Monday. The San Dimas station of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department reported that they are looking for Gregory in the vicinity of Crystal Lake, which is part of the San Gabriel Mountains range.
The search for Sands was initially conducted on the ground, but the change in approach came the day after crews were able to locate Jin Chung, a 75-year-old male from Los Angeles, who was reported missing on Sunday.[2] Chung suffered leg and weather-related injuries, police said.
The department has said that no evidence of Sands’ current location has been discovered yet.[3] The search continues, weather and ground conditions permitting.[4]
January storms left the mountainsides blanketed in thick layers of snow and ice.[5] The search efforts have been hindered by the strong winds and unfavorable weather.[6] Avalanches, icy conditions, and high winds all contribute to making the area extremely dangerous, even for experienced hikers.
The sheriff’s department also said that they had to conduct at least 14 rescues of hikers in and around Mt. Baldy over the last four weeks because of treacherous weather.[7] In those incidents, two people perished due to falls.[8]
The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department announced on Wednesday afternoon that the search for Sands would remain airborne, adding that the use of RECCO technology is being employed. This technology is capable of detecting reflective materials, electronics, and occasionally, credit cards.[9]
Fame for Sands has been achieved through his performances in “The Killing Fields,” “A Room With A View,” “Leaving Las Vegas” and “Warlock.”[10] His family said, “He has an army of friends, fans and admirers who have been fantastic in their support and will miss Jules dearly.[11]
0. “Officials Working To Pinpoint Last Known Location Of Julian Sands, Who Went Missing While Hiking On California’s Treacherous Mt. Baldy – Update” Deadline, 21 Jan. 2023, https://deadline.com/2023/01/julian-sands-missing-while-hiking-californias-treacherous-mt-baldy-1235226727/
1. “Julian Sands Family Speaks Out After Another Hiker Goes Missing” PEOPLE, 24 Jan. 2023, https://people.com/movies/julian-sands-family-issues-statement-as-search-enters-11th-day-and-another-hiker-goes-missing/
2. “One hiker found alive, actor Julian Sands still missing on Mt. Baldy” VVdailypress.com, 25 Jan. 2023, https://www.vvdailypress.com/story/news/2023/01/25/one-hiker-found-alive-actor-julian-sands-still-missing-on-mt-baldy/69838981007/
3. “Julian Sands: California authorities say no trace of actor found” BBC, 25 Jan. 2023, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-64395824
4. “75-Year-Old Hiker Missing Since Sunday on Mt. Baldy is Found” NBC Southern California, 25 Jan. 2023, https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/75-year-old-hiker-jin-chung-missing-mt-baldy-is-found/3080826
5. “Searchers find 2nd hiker in area where Julian Sands went missing” KCCI Des Moines, 26 Jan. 2023, https://www.kcci.com/article/julian-sands-hiking-missing/42646130
6. “Officials warn of dangerous conditions on Mt. Baldy after two hikers die, actor goes missing” KTLA Los Angeles, 18 Jan. 2023, https://ktla.com/news/california/officials-warn-of-dangerous-conditions-on-mt-baldy-after-two-hikers-die/
7. “Julian Sands: helicopter search under way for missing actor” The Guardian US, 21 Jan. 2023, https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/jan/20/julian-sands-missing-helicopter-search-under-way
8. “Actor Julian Sands Missing Amid California Storms After Hike | Weather.com” The Weather Channel, 19 Jan. 2023, https://weather.com/news/news/2023-01-19-julian-sands-missing-california-storms
9. “Julian Sands update: Authorities resume search for missing actor “by air only”” NPR, 26 Jan. 2023, https://www.npr.org/2023/01/26/1151642667/julian-sands-search-update-mt-baldy
10. “‘I know in my heart that he’s gone’: Julian Sands’ brother fears actor will not be found alive” LBC, 25 Jan. 2023, https://www.lbc.co.uk/news/julian-sands-brother-fear-actor-not-found/
11. “Julian Sands’ brother believes he is dead as search continues” The A.V. Club, 25 Jan. 2023, https://www.avclub.com/julian-sands-still-missing-brother-believes-he-is-dead-1850029596
