Human remains found in the area where British actor Julian Sands went missing.

Julian Sands has been missing since January. Photo: REUTERS

Human remains were found in the San Gabriel Mountains in California. where British actor Julian Sands went missing more than five months ago.

The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department said civilian tourists contacted authorities Saturday morning after the discovery of the remains in the Mount Baldy area.

The remains were taken to the coroner's office pending positive identification, the department said.

Identification is expected to be completed next week, after which the department will issue a press release.< /p>

Sands, 65, did not return from a hike in Baldy Mountain in the mountains of southern California on January 13.

The actor is known for his roles in A Room with a View, Leaving Las Vegas and Leaving Las Vegas «. Warlock, as well as TV appearances on 24, Smallville, and Banshee.

Mountains San Gabriel in Southern California is popular with tourists. Image Credit & Copyright: AP

The discovery of the remains came shortly after his family released a statement saying they continue to hold him «in our hearts with fond memories.»

«We are deeply grateful to the search teams and coordinators who we tirelessly worked to find Julian,» the Sheriff's Department said in a family statement Wednesday.

«We still hold Julian in our hearts with fond memories of him as a wonderful father, husband, explorer, lover of the natural world and the arts, as well as an original and collaborative performer.»

The Sheriff's Department added that while Sands was not found during searches on June 17, the case remains active.

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The search was hampered by poor conditions in the area and was halted in March due to the risk of avalanches.

Eight ground and air searches have been conducted for Sands since his disappearance. the number of volunteer search hours has exceeded 500 hours.

A Sheriff's Department spokesman has previously said his goal was to «shut down» the Sands family.