Authorities have confirmed actor Julian Sands as dead after his remains were discovered in a Southern California forest area, according to an update from the San Bernardino County Sheriff on Tuesday.

The cause of death for Sands, who had been missing since January, is still under investigation. His remains were discovered by hikers on Saturday morning in the Mount Baldy Area. The hikers then contacted the Fontana Sheriff’s Station.

More than 80 volunteers and authorities searched for Sands for over 500 hours between January and earlier this month, when the search became more limited.

“We would like to extend our gratitude to all the volunteers that worked tirelessly to locate Mr Sands,” the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s said in a statement on Tuesday.

Born in Yorkshire, England, in 1958, Sands played roles in various films including A Room With a View, Oceans Thirteen, The Killing Fields and Arachnophobia. He’d also been on shows such as 24 and Smallville.

“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,” Sands’ family said in a statement, according to The Guardian.

Sands is survived by his three children and his wife, journalist Evgenia Citkowitz.

In January, Sands’ brother, Nick, told The Guardian that the Mt Baldy area was his “favourite.”

“I know in my heart that he has gone. However, sibling rivalry being what it is, it would be just like him to walk out of there and prove me wrong,” he added.

Sands also has three other brothers: Robin, Jeremy and Quentin.

A representative for Sands did not immediately respond to HuffPost’s request for comment.

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