Actor Julian Sands, who had been missing since January, was confirmed dead on Sunday after his remains were found in the Mt. Baldy wilderness in California.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said in a statement that the remains were identified by the coroner’s office using dental records. The cause and manner of death are still under investigation.
Sands, 54, was best known for his roles in films such as A Room with a View, Leaving Las Vegas and The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. He was last seen on Jan. 7 when he left his home in Pasadena to go hiking in the Mt. Baldy area, about 40 miles east of Los Angeles.
His car was found at a trailhead parking lot on Jan. 8, but despite extensive searches by authorities and volunteers, no trace of him was found until last week, when a hiker discovered human remains near a creek.
Sands’ family and friends had held out hope that he would be found alive, describing him as an experienced hiker who loved nature. His wife, Evgenia Citkowitz, thanked everyone who helped in the search efforts in a statement to NBC News.
‘We are heartbroken by this tragic loss and deeply grateful for the outpouring of love and support from family, friends and fans,’ she said. ‘Julian was a brilliant actor, a devoted husband and father, and a wonderful human being. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.’