Actor John Malkovich described the passing of his friend and co-star Julian Sands as a “very sad event”.
Sands, 65, was reported missing in the Mount Baldy area of the San Gabriel Mountains In California more than five weeks ago.
The British actor has failed to return from a hike and his hiking partner Kevin Ryan said at the time that it was obvious “something went wrong”.
Phone pings seemed to show up he was on the move two days after his disappearance was reported.
There have been numerous searches, on foot and from the air, with state and federal agencies involved, but it has yet to be found.
Speaking at a press conference at the Berlin International Film Festival Malkovich, who will star opposite Sands in the upcoming German-Moroccan historical drama Seneca, said he was “very close” to the actor.
“I am godfather to his son from his first wife, Sarah, whom I know very well, and introduced him to his second wife,” the American actor said.
“We’ve been close forever since we met on the set of The Killing Fields in 1983. It’s a very sad event.”
Julian Sands and John Malkovich in The Killing Fields
Sands had previously been married to Sarah, a former editor of the London Evening Standard and BBC Radio 4’s Today show, in 1987, is now married to playwright Evgenia Citkowitz.
Authorities have vowed to “close down” the actor’s family after more than five weeks of searches.
The San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department said on Monday that further searches of the Sands lot over the weekend turned up nothing.
The force added that an impending storm in the region meant search efforts would now be delayed “for some time”.
Actor Julian Sands and wife Evgenia Citkowitz in California in 2015
“On Feb. 18, more than 20 members of the Fontana Sheriff’s Station and West Valley Search and Rescue team conducted a ground search in the Mt Baldy area,” a spokesman said.
“Crew members focused on the area where the California Highway Patrol’s Recco device struck a possible electronic device on Jan. 25.
“Unfortunately, nothing has been found that could lead to Mr. Sands’ discovery.
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“As the impending storm approaches, Mr. Sands’ shore searches will be delayed for some time.”
The spokesperson added: “Our aim is to close down Mr Sands’ family and we will try again when we can.”
The sheriff’s department he previously said he remains “hopeful” of finding the actorbut he admitted that the outcome of the searches could now “not be what we would like”.
The actor’s family praised the “heroic” efforts of the California authorities involved in the search and were “deeply moved” by the support they received.
Sands was born in Yorkshire and moved to Los Angeles in 2020.
He has had roles in films such as Warlock, Room With A View and Leaving Las Vegas, as well as roles in the TV shows Smallville and 24.
