Human remains found in the mountains of southern California have been confirmed to be those of North Yorkshire-born actor Julian Sands. 

The British actor, 65, had been missing for more than five months, after failing to return from a hike in the Mount Baldy area on January 13.

And now, the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department has confirmed to the PA news agency that the remains found over the weekend belong to the British actor. 

The actor’s remains were found in the same area on Saturday by civilian hikers, with a coroner later confirming them to be those of Sands.

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Sands was best known for his breakout role in the 1985 romantic period drama A Room With A View, in which he starred alongside Helena Bonham Carter.

He later transitioned successfully to the horror genre, appearing in films such as Gothic, Warlock and Arachnophobia.

The Sherriff's department said: "The identification process for the body located on Mt Baldy on June 24, 2023, has been completed and was positively identified as 65-year-old Julian Sands of North Hollywood.

“The manner of death is still under investigation, pending further test results.

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“We would like to extend our gratitude to all the volunteers that worked tirelessly to try to locate Mr Sands.”

The actor was born in North Yorkshire, in 1958, with much of his family remaining in the county where he and his four brothers grew up, including brother Nick Sands. 

Nick told the Telegraph and Argus that Julian was due to return to his West Yorkshire childhood home for his regular ‘Monday Club’ family meet-up in Skipton, North Yorkshire,  on January 30, shortly after his disappearance. 

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Last week, Sands’ family released a statement saying they were continuing to keep him “in our hearts with bright memories”.

“We are deeply grateful to the search teams and co-ordinators who have worked tirelessly to find Julian,” a family statement, issued on Wednesday by the sheriff’s department, read.

“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.”