Human remains found in mountains in California have been confirmed to be those of British actor Julian Sands, who went missing on a hike in January.

Hikers found the remains on Saturday, the county sheriff's department has said, and they have now been identified as belonging to the late actor.

Sands, 65, was best known for his roles in the Oscar-winning film A Room With A View opposite Helena Bonham Cater, and TV dramas 24 and Smallville.

His other credits included 2011's The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, in which he appeared opposite Daniel Craig.

Remembering Julian Sands's beautiful performance as George Emerson in James Ivory's A ROOM WITH A VIEW (1986) ❤️ pic.twitter.com/HMMWEWQKCN

— Criterion Collection (@Criterion) June 27, 2023

The manner of his death remained under investigation, awaiting further test results, the department said in an statement.

Sands disappeared on 13 January during bad weather in the Baldy Bowl area of the San Gabriel Mountains.

Air and ground searches were hampered as California was battered by deadly storms, as well as icy conditions and a threat of avalanches.

Sands, an avid outdoorsman and mountaineer, was reported missing on Jan. 13, after he had gone hiking alone earlier in the day in the Baldy Bowl area of the San Gabriel Mountains, about 50 miles (80 km) northeast of Los Angeles.

The large, slopping area below the crest of Mount Baldy is a popular destination for skiers, climbers and backpackers. But authorities warned then that heavy snow from weeks of winter storms had made the area treacherous for outdoor recreation. Overnight temperatures dipped between 4 to minus 4 Celsius that week.

Baldy Bowl area of the San Gabriel Mountains

Julian's brother Nick Sands, who resides in North Yorkshire, where the two grew up, stated in January that he had already said his "goodbyes".

"I have come to terms with the fact he's gone and for me that's how I've dealt with it," he said.

Sands was a keen hiker. His friend and hiking partner Kevin Ryan has previously said that it was a true passion of his, and that "he was the most advanced hiker I know".