The Eerie Account of Hikers Discovering Julian Sands’ Remains

The hikers who accidentally came across Julian Sands’ remains have shared their unsettling experience in a recent interview, painting a grim picture of their shocking discovery.

On June 24, recreational hikers stumbled upon the lifeless body of 65-year-old Sands on Mount Baldy, California. The British actor had been reported missing on January 13 after embarking on a solo hiking trip.

Bill Dwyer, one of the hikers who found Sands’ remains in Goode Canyon, recounted the surreal encounter to The Los Angeles Times, stating, “It was surreal.”

As the hikers climbed Mount Baldy, approximately three hours into their trek, they encountered a boot, followed by another boot at a higher elevation. Continuing their ascent, they discovered trekking poles, bones, and eventually, “a pile of dark winter clothes” nearby.

In one of the pockets, they found a wallet containing a driver’s license featuring Sands’ face.

“He was dressed like a ninja,” recalled one of the hikers.

Microspikes, often used for crossing shallow snowy trails, were attached to one of Sands’ boots, surprising Dwyer. He commented, “I was a little shocked to see the microspikes. They were just the wrong tools for the job at hand.”

Aware of the ongoing search for Sands, the hikers speculated that Goode Canyon was likely where the actor would have been—especially since his last recorded cellphone ping was at an “icy ridge” along the Baldy Bowl trail.

The hikers revealed that Sands’ cellphone was located on a rock beneath a nearby tree, though they couldn’t find a signal in that area. Additionally, they noted the absence of a backpack near his remains.

Before this discovery, search and rescue teams had divided their efforts, with one group ascending from the top of Goode Canyon and the other climbing up from the bottom, both aiming to locate Sands. Unfortunately, neither group reached the midpoint of the mountain where Sands’ remains were eventually found.

Donna Newlin, a member of San Bernardino County’s search and rescue team, commented, “It was just one of those things… If they had gone another 600 feet farther down, they might have found him.”

The organizer of the hiking group conveyed to The Times, “Can you imagine the despair, the isolation? Hearing the helicopters, knowing people are looking for you, but having no way to signal to them. I still have nightmares about that.”

Originally, the cause of Julian Sands’ death was labeled as “undetermined,” as stated by a public information officer from the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department. They explained that the classification was “undetermined due to the condition of the body, and this is common when dealing with cases of this type.”

Our condolences go out to Julian Sands’ family, friends, and fans during this tragic time.