California hikers discovered human remains Saturday in the wilderness area where actor Julian Sands went missing more than five months ago, police said.
Officials have not identified the victim.
The remains were transported to the coroner’s office for confirmation, which is expected to be completed next week.
Sands, 65, was reported missing on Jan. 13 when he failed to return from a hiking trip in the San Gabriel Mountains in Mt. Baldy, located 45 miles east of Los Angeles.
The search, which consisted of 80 volunteers and officials, resumed on June 17 following a temporary suspension.
Police have conducted eight ground and air searches since Sands’ disappearance.
“Despite the recent warmer weather, portions of the mountain remain inaccessible due to extreme alpine conditions. Multiple areas include steep terrain and ravines, which still have 10-plus feet of ice and snow,” San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Office said last week.
Volunteers and officials arrive to continue their search for actor Julian Sands on June 17.San Bernardino Sheriff’s Office
Sands’ family spoke for the first time since his disappearance on Friday, expressing their gratitude for the ongoing search and rescue efforts.
“We are deeply grateful to the search teams and coordinators who have worked tirelessly to find Julian,” the statement said.
Authorities initially suspended the search due to the weather.San Bernardino Sheriff’s Office
Hikers stumbled across the human remains at California’s Mt. Baldy.AP
“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, a veteran hiker, starred in films such as “Arachnophobia,” “A Room with a View,” “Warlock” and “Leaving Las Vegas.”
Mt. Baldy is considered one of the most dangerous peaks to climb in California.
Six people have died as crews conducted over 100 searches as thrillseekers and hiking veterans are drawn to the challenge of the 10,000-foot mountain, according to the Los Angeles Times.
In January, officials found hiker Jin Chung, 75, who became lost on Mt. Baldy and was hospitalized with a leg injury and other weather-related injuries.
Prior to Chung’s brief disappearance, a mother of four fell more than 500 to 700 feet to her death.
Crystal Paula Gonzalez, who was known as a “Hiking Queen,” slipped on the steep icy hillside and later died from her injuries, according to officials.
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