Julian Sands' cause of death ruled 'undetermined' one month after remains were found

A month after Julian Sands was pronounced dead, a conclusion has been reached in the cause of the British actor's hiking death.

Sands was found dead on a Southern California mountain on June 24, five months after he disappeared while hiking. His manner of death is “undetermined,” according to the latest update from the San Bernadino County Sheriff’s Department official website.

USA TODAY has reached out to the sheriff’s department for additional comment.

Sands' remains were found by civilian hikers in the Mt. Baldy wilderness, the San Bernardino County Sheriff's office said in a press release shared June 27. The 65-year-old actor was an avid and experienced hiker who lived in Los Angeles and was reported missing Jan. 13 after setting out on the peak that rises more than 10,000 feet (3,048 meters) east of the city.

Crews aided by drones and helicopters had searched for him several times, but, severely hampered by wintry conditions that lasted through spring, no sign of him was found until the hikers came upon him. The chances of Sands being discovered alive had long since diminished to nearly nothing, but the sheriff’s department, which conducted an official search the day before he was found, emphasized that the case remained active.

"We would like to extend our gratitude to all the volunteers that worked tirelessly to locate Mr. Sands," the sheriff's office said in a statement at the time.

A few days before he was found, Sands' family issued a statement saying, “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, who was born, raised and began acting in England, worked constantly in film and television, amassing more than 150 credits in a 40-year career.

Sands starred opposite Helena Bonham Carter in the 1985 British romance from director James Ivory, “A Room With a View.” The film won the British Academy of Film and Television Arts award for best film and was nominated for eight Oscars, winning three.

Julian Sands confirmed dead:Actor's remains found months after going missing while hiking

Julian Sands:'A Room With a View' actor goes missing after mountain hike in Southern California

Contributing: The Associated Press