Julian Sands missing – Mobile phone pings could hold key clues to finding missing actor who vanished a week ago on hike
GPS data from missing actor Julian Sand’s mobile phone could hold the key clues to finding him, authorities have revealed.
The A Room With A View star, 65, vanished after heading out on a hike up Mount Baldy near LA in California a week ago.
He had embarked on the treacherous trail intending to complete the trek in a day – but was reported missing when he didn’t return home.
Search and rescue efforts have been hampered by heavy snow and ice as concerns for the Brit film star grow.
But police believe the ex-pat was still on the move on Sunday after obtaining crucial information from his mobile phone.
Cops hoped to hone in on the dad-of-three‘s location after phone pings suggested he was travelling along a trail leading to the top of the 10,000ft peak.
Teams battled through the snow on foot to trawl the area while helicopters were deployed to try and spot the actor.
In the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department’s latest update, they explained officers have attempted additional pings but they were unsuccessful.
A spokesperson explained: “On January 15, 2023, phone pings showed Sands to be heading to the Mount Baldy area.
“Additional phone pings from the cell provider were attempted but were unsuccessful, due to the lack of cell service and most likely cell phone power failure.
“A delayed ping through Sands’ Apple iPhone operating system, from January 14, 2023, provided a possible location on one of the trails leading to the summit of Mount Baldy.
“This area was checked by ground searchers and by helicopter.
“Ground and air searchers were unable to locate any evidence in this area that would assist in locating Mr. Sands.
“Because of avalanche risks and trail conditions, the ground crews were pulled off the mountain on Saturday evening.
“However, the search continues by helicopter and drones when the weather permits.
“Additional ground searches will be scheduled when the weather improves, and it is safe for our rescue crews.”
Julian’s children Henry, 37, Natalya, 26, and Imogen, 23, yesterday joined the ground search for their father.
His son is also an avid hiker and is understood to have retraced the route his father took before having to abandon his expedition due to the hazardous weather conditions.
Sleet, snow and fog forced the suspension of search efforts – but police say there is “no hard deadline” for calling them off.
A source told the Daily Mail the West Yorkshire-born star “would have been well equipped” for the risky voyage up Mount Baldy.
He survived an “atrocious storm” above 20,000ft while scaling the Andes in the early 1990s with three pals.
Henry is said to be keen to pitch in and “organise” the search efforts, while taking a “practical approach” to deal with the worrying situation.
It comes after Julian’s car, blanketed by thick snow, was recovered by investigators and towed away on Wednesday.
The experienced climber’s old friend and movie producer Cassian Elwes, 63, told The Sun it was spotted on the same day he went missing.
He described the situation as “incredibly sad” and “mind-boggling”, as the actor had scaled “all kinds of mountains.”
Julian is best known for his roles in hit movies A Room with a View, Warlock and Leaving Las Vegas.
He moved to the North Hollywood area from the UK in 1985.
The 65-year-old has two daughters with the journalist Evgenia Citkowitz, who he married in 1990.
He also had son Henry with his first wife Sarah Sands – the former editor of the Sunday Telegraph and the Evening Standard.
Julian’s famous pals were praying for news on the “great adventurer” as the days continue to tick by.
‘PRAYERS FOR HIS SAFE RETURN’
All Creatures Great and Small actor Samuel West, 56, tweeted: “Please, please let Julian Sands be okay. A friend and an inspiration. Awful news.”
Rufus Sewell, 55, posted: “God, I really hope he’s OK.”
American actress and dancer Melanie Kinnaman called for “prayers for his safe return”.
She said: “Our friend Julian Sands has been missing from a hiking trip in the mountains of Southern California for nearly one week.
“There is an active search for him in the Mt Baldy area. Please send prayers for his safe return.”
Authorities have carried out 14 rescue missions on Mount Baldy in four weeks.
Police have warned hikers the weather on the mountain is “adverse and extremely dangerous”.
Rescue teams are also searching for another hiker, California resident Bob Gregory, who disappeared on Monday.
And two hikers have died in recent weeks in the Mount Baldy area of the San Gabriel mountains.
Mum-of-four Crystal Paula Gonzalez is understood to have slipped and plunged 700ft down the Baldy Bowl.
Jarret Choi, 43, from LA, was also hiking the Ice House Canyon trail when he fell near the Ice House Saddle ridge line.
His body was found two days later.