New information has been released in the investigation into a cause of death for British star Julian Sands after authorities confirmed the remains found by hikers in California’s Mt. Baldy area were in fact those of the actor.
The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department confirmed to PEOPLE magazine that the cause of death for the 65-year-old actor has officially been listed as “undetermined” on his death certificate.
The Sheriff’s Public Information Officer told the outlet that Sands’ cause of death was ruled “undetermined due to the condition of the body and this is common when dealing with cases of this type.”
The news comes after hikers found human remains on June 27 in the area where Sands went missing in January.
Julian Sands' Cause of Death Deemed 'Undetermined' 4 Weeks After His Body Was Found https://t.co/Yg8Jy0WaGn
— People (@people) July 24, 2023
The sheriff’s office report on June 24 said that hikers “contacted the Fontana Sheriff’s Station after they discovered human remains in the Mt. Baldy wilderness. The decedent was transported to the Coroner’s Office, pending positive identification.”
Sands’ family previously released a statement thanking the sheriff’s office for resuming the search after “extreme alpine conditions” had hampered efforts over the last few months.
“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,” the statement from his family read.
The week before the sheriff’s department announced it had “continued ongoing search efforts in the Mount Baldy wilderness” for the missing star.
The release concluded that since January, when the “Ocean’s 13” star went missing after going for a hike, the agency had conducted eight ground and air searches for Sands, and efforts have included more than 500 volunteer searcher hours.
Born in Yorkshire, England, Sands’ career took off in the 1980s, and since that time he’d appeared on the big and small screen in numerous well-known films and TV shows like “A Room With a View,” “The Killing Fields,” as well as “24” and “Smallville.” He leaves behind a wife and three children.
Related: Search Resumes For British Actor Julian Sands After ‘Extreme Alpine Conditions’ Hampered Efforts