The family of missing British actor Julian Sands has thanked California authorities for their efforts to locate him.
They also said they were “deeply touched” by the “outpouring of love and support” they had received.
Sands, 65, disappeared on Jan. 13 while hiking in the Baldy Bowl area of the San Gabriel Mountains, north of Los Angeles.
Last week, his car was found next to where he was reported missing.
In the statement – released on the 11th day since Mr Sands’ disappearance – the family praised the “heroic search teams” who are working through the difficult weather conditions “on the ground and in the air to bring Julian home”.
California has been ravaged by deadly storms and the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department said it had answered more than a dozen calls in the past four weeks on Mount San Antonio, known locally as Mount Baldy, and in the surrounding area. It warned hikers to “stay away” from that area.
“It is extremely dangerous and even experienced hikers get into trouble,” the department said. Earlier in January, a mother of four who was described by friends as an accomplished hiker died after sliding more than 500 feet down Mount Baldy.
Last week, a spokesperson for the sheriff’s department told the PA news agency that conditions were still too dangerous for ground crews to operate due to winter weather and that the search would only be conducted by helicopter.
Born in Yorkshire, Mr. Sands has appeared in dozens of films and TV shows, but it was a starring role in the 1985 British romance A Room With A View that brought him worldwide fame.
He lives in the North Hollywood neighborhood of Los Angeles with his wife, writer Evgenia Citkowitz. They have two children.
Mr. Sands has spoken in the past about his love of hiking and mountaineering.
When asked in 2020 what made him happy, he replied: “Close to a mountaintop on a wonderfully cold morning.”
