New details have emerged regarding the disappearance of actor Julian Sands on California's Mount Baldy, as the group of hikers who discovered his body have spoken out for the first time.
Sands was reported missing by his wife on January 13 after he failed to return from a hike in the San Gabriel Mountains, located approximately an hour outside of Los Angeles.
In an interview with the Los Angeles Times, the hikers described the experience as "surreal." They were troubled to find that Sands was dressed entirely in dark colors, without any orange, red, or yellow to make him more visible. "He was dressed like a ninja," one hiker remarked.
The group also noted that Sands did not have a helmet or an ice ax, which are essential for hiking in treacherous conditions. Instead, he was wearing Microspikes, which are typically used for snowy trails that are not steep. Mount Baldy, however, is known as one of the deadliest mountains in the United States. "I was a little shocked to see the Microspikes," said Bill Dwyer, one of the hikers. "They were just the wrong tools for the job at hand."
Although Sands had a cellphone with him, it is believed that he did not have reception in the area where he went missing.
The cause of Sands' death has been listed as "undetermined" on his death certificate, as confirmed by Fox News Digital. The San Bernardino Sheriff's Department, which positively identified Sands on June 27 after his remains were found by hikers in Goode Canyon on Mount Baldy, explained that an "undetermined" cause of death is common in cases like this.
Authorities conducted an extensive search for Sands in the weeks following his disappearance, utilizing ground teams, helicopters, and drones. However, their efforts were hampered by a series of powerful storms that hit the San Bernardino Mountains in late February and early March.
The area received nearly 10 feet of snow, leading to road closures, power outages, and 13 deaths under investigation, with only one directly attributed to the weather.
The search for Sands resumed in June, but certain parts of the mountain remained inaccessible due to extreme alpine conditions, according to the police.
The hikers who discovered Sands' remains expressed their belief that his chances of survival would have been greater if he had been equipped with better gear. "Can you imagine the despair, the isolation?" one hiker said.
They also mentioned that Sands likely heard the helicopters searching for him and knew that people were looking, but was unable to signal due to the poor reception in the mountainous area. "I still have nightmares about that," the group's organizer added.
Julian Sands was known for his roles in films such as "The Killing Fields," "A Room With a View," "Leaving Las Vegas," and "Warlock." He also appeared in movies like "Ocean's 13," "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo," "Arachnophobia," "Boxing Helena," and "Medallion."
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