British actor Julian Sands will forever be remembered for his iconic role as the free-spirited George in the 1986 adaptation of E.M. Forster’s timeless novel, A Room With a View, where he played opposite the enchanting Helena Bonham Carter. As the world mourns his passing after he went missing in Southern California, let's take a moment to celebrate Julian’s life, his family, and the legacy he leaves behind.

The Family Man Behind the Star

Julian Sands, who would have turned 66, was more than just a celebrated actor. He was a devoted father to three adult children, and his family was the cornerstone of his life. His first child, Henry Sands, was born in 1985 from his marriage to British journalist Sarah Harvey Sands. The couple tied the knot in 1984 and remained together until 1987, after a decade-long relationship.

In 1990, Julian found love again with author Evgenia Citkowitz. Together, they welcomed two daughters: Natalya Morley Sands, born in August 1996, and Imogen Morley Sands, who arrived in December 1999. Julian cherished his family deeply and was known for keeping their lives private. In a 2019 interview with The Guardian, he revealed how he hoped to be remembered: "As an interesting, amusing father by my children." When asked what love feels like, Julian's response was poetic: "Being exquisitely alive."

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A Love for Adventure

While Julian kept his family life close to his chest, he was outspoken about his passion for mountain climbing. In the same The Guardian interview, he was asked where he felt the happiest, and his answer was telling: "Close to a mountain summit on a glorious cold morning." He also shared his greatest fear: "Inactivity, immobility, ill health, and boredom." Climbing was more than a hobby for Julian—it was a way of life.

Julian’s bucket list included scaling "a remote peak in the high Himalayas, such as Makalu." He recounted a harrowing experience in the early '90s when he was caught in a brutal storm above 20,000 feet in the Andes. "We were all in a very bad way," he recalled. "Some guys close to us perished. We were lucky." His love for nature was evident in a 2015 interview with USA Today, where he said, "I spend a lot of time outdoors, mountain climbing. To ignore it is really imbecilic."

A Tragic Disappearance in the Mountains

On January 13, 2023, tragedy struck when Julian disappeared while hiking Mount Baldy, a snow-covered peak in Southern California. His family reported him missing around 7:30 p.m. that evening. The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department immediately launched a search and rescue operation. However, due to treacherous trail conditions and the risk of avalanches, ground crews were pulled off the mountain that Saturday evening.

Mara Rodriguez, a spokesperson for the Sheriff’s Department, told Closer, "Search and Rescue crews responded and began a search. Due to trail conditions and the risk of avalanche, the ground crews were pulled off the mountain on Saturday evening." She added, "However, we continue to search by helicopter and drones when weather permits. We will schedule another ground search when the weather improves, and it is safe for our ground crews."

A Family's Heartfelt Plea

In the days following Julian’s disappearance, his family released a heartfelt statement through the Sheriff’s Department. They expressed their gratitude to the compassionate members of the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department and the heroic search teams who braved difficult conditions to bring Julian home. "Our heartfelt thanks to the compassionate members of the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department who are coordinating the search for our beloved Julian," the family said. "We are deeply touched by the outpouring of love and support."

On June 24, recreational hikers discovered human remains on Mount Baldy and alerted the Fontana Sheriff’s Station. Three days later, on June 27, the San Fernando Sheriff’s Department confirmed that the remains belonged to Julian. "The manner of death is still under investigation, pending further test results," the Sheriff’s office stated in a public announcement.