Hikers have discovered human remains in the Southern California wilderness of Mount Baldy, where British-born actor Julian Sands disappeared in January, local authorities announced late Saturday.

The hikers contacted Fontana Station officials around 10 a.m. on Saturday to report the discovery of the body, which was transported to the coroner's office for identification, according to a statement from the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department, as The Epoch Times reported.

Statement from San Bernadino Sheriff's Department:

On Saturday, June 24, 2023, at about 10:00 a.m., civilian hikers contacted the Fontana Sheriff’s Station after they discovered human remains in the Mt. Baldy wilderness. Fontana Station deputies, along with the Sheriff’s Department’s Emergency Operations Division, responded to the scene.

The decedent was transported to the Coroner’s Office, pending positive identification. Identification should be completed next week at which time we will update this press release. No further details are available at this time.

Sands, 65, disappeared while trekking on January 13. Crews began scouring for him approximately 40 miles northeast of downtown Los Angeles on the highest peak in the San Gabriel Mountains.

As the weather permited, authorities are using helicopters and drones to search for Sands and will recommence the ground search when it is safe to do so.

The hazardous mountain conditions were caused by cyclones that swept into Southern California on January 13 and lasted for days. At least two hikers had already died in the area.

“The sheriff’s department is closing in on the second full week of the search for missing hiker, Julian Sands. Numerous ground and air search efforts have taken place. As of this time, Mr. Sands has not been found and no evidence of his current location has been discovered," the sheriff’s department said in a statement released on Jan. 24.

“The search will continue, weather, and ground conditions permitting.

“The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, Search and Rescue (SAR) teams are comprised of highly trained citizen volunteers, who take on personal risk to help rescue lost and injured hikers.”

During the search, a 75-year-old hiker was found by rescuers in California who was lost on the same snow-covered mountain where it is believed the actor went missing.

Reporters captured images of North Hollywood resident Jin Chung being carried into an ambulance on January 24.

According to the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department, he was able to walk with assistance and was taken to the hospital with a limb injury and weather-related injuries. His condition at the time was unknown.