Federal agencies join the search for missing British actor Julian Sands

21 January 2023 , 05:27

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The search for missing actor Julian Sands has intensified as federal and state agencies in the USA have joined the mission to find the British actor.

The 65-year-old has not ben seen for over a week and was reported missing after he failed to return home from a hike on Mount Baldy in the San Gabriel Mountains in southern California.

The actor, best known fro his role in films including Room With A View and Arachnophobia, is thought to have been hiking the popular Baldy Bowl Trail which runs 4.5 miles over the mountain range’s highest summit.

Authorities have been encouraged in their search when forensics detected a ‘ping’ from the actor’s phone two days after he was reported missing.

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The search for missing actor Julian Sands has intensified (Tytus Zmijewski/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)

A spokesperson for the California county sheriff’s department told the PA news agency on Friday: “We are working with state and federal agencies that have cell phone forensics to assist us in pinpointing a location, but so far no new info has been developed.”

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The search to find Julian, who was reported missing on Friday 13 January, has been impeded due to reports of avalanches in the search area.

But the Sheriff department’s reveal that federal and state agencies are assisting in the search highlights that efforts to find the actor have increased.

It has previously been reported that there is “no hard deadline” and “no date set” for calling off search efforts.

The actor was reported missing on Friday 13 January (File)

Originally born in Yorkshire, Julian has worked with some A-List stars over the years.

His friend, All Creatures Great and Small actor Samuel West, took to Twitter to plead that his ‘inspirational’ pal Julian is okay. He wrote: “Please, please let Julian Sands be okay. A friend and an inspiration. Awful news.”

His Two and a Half Men co-star Jon Cryer also penned a heartfelt tweet as he said he hoped this would just turn out to be another “adventure.”

"I am hoping against hope that this will turn out to be just another one of his adventures. I’m so sorry for his family and friends going through this,” Cryer added.

British film producer and close friend Cassian Elwes also tweeted: “I’ve known since Friday that my friend Julian Sands has been missing on mt baldy. I’m devastated. A very close family friend who was an adventurer in everything he did. I’ve said many prayers.”

Several other famous faces replied to his tweet with comments of surprise about the dreadful news. The Man In The High Castle lead actor Rufus Sewell said: “God, I really hope he’s ok.”

Friends of the star are praying he will be found safe (AFP via Getty Images)

Julian has been twice married, with his first marriage to journalist Sarah Harvey lasting from 1984 to 1987 and the couple welcomed a son named Henry in 1985 - who is believed to be helping in the search.