LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: In the first interview following the death of actor Julian Sands, writer and journalist Sarah Sands candidly discussed the sorrow stemming from losing her cherished former husband, with who she was married for a brief span of three years.
The 'A Room with a View' star's remains were discovered in a remote mountain canyon in California this June after he went missing in January while hiking in the San Gabriel Mountains.
What did Sarah Sands say about Julian Sands?
Sarah recalled the "golden" years when they were "never out of each other's sight," especially when they welcomed their son Henry, who is now 37.
She opened up about a significant moment of their shared history, recounting when Julian walked away from her and their infant son amid their lives in Venice.
Julian's departure was a dismantling of perfection for Sarah as their lives had just reached a harmonious point with the film industry. However,, with Henry's presence, a restless urge took hold of him, as described by her to the Daily Mail.
"He didn't leave me for anyone else. There wasn't a plan. He just said he was going to California," Sarah revealed, adding, "He always had to take the hard path. Even at the end, he sought the challenge. That was why he pushed himself beyond the limits of human endurance on the mountain."
However, Sarah's life journey continued beyond her marriage to Julian. She ascended the ladder of accomplishment, steering the editorial helm of the Evening Standard and taking charge as editor of Today on BBC Radio 4 from 2017 to 2020.
Her current roles include serving on the board of Channel 4, acting as deputy chair of the British Council, and participating as a trustee of the Science Museum, as per the Daily Mail.
In the interview, Sarah also recounted that she saw Julian for the last time during her father, Noel Harvey's funeral in January 2022.
What was Julian Sands' cause of death?
Julian Sands' remains were found in a remote mountain canyon in California this June. The cause of death was undetermined due to the condition of the actor's body, and no other factors were discovered during the coroner's investigation.
A poignant farewell took place during a small funeral arranged for Julian by Evgenia and her daughters. Before his death, the 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo' actor used to reside in Los Angeles with his second wife, Evgenia Citkowitz, along with their daughters Natalya and Imogen.
His ex-wife, Sarah, was with their son Henry when they received the news of Julian's disappearance during a climbing expedition on Mount Baldy.
"When Evgenia called to say Jules was missing, Henry's first instinct was to fly out and find him, so then it was about organizing him and getting him off. People have been missing and found. It didn't seem final then. In those early days we thought he'd have been able to dig a snow hole, so there was hope," noted Sarah.
She added, "Henry went with a very experienced climber, and although time and conditions were against them, they tried to retrace his route. But it was getting dangerous. Their hopes diminished over those days. I imagined Jules up that mountain and Henry looking for him.' Her light voice briefly falters; hazel eyes blur with tears."
"Then there was this limbo during those freak conditions. With Henry just wanting to bring his dad down. It meant everything to him to find him," continued the journalist.
Julian's absence persisted for five months, marked by suspended searches due to the treacherous conditions. Eventually, Henry returned in June when the snow had melted, hoping to trace his father's steps and find answers.
"He prepared the climb well; he understood Jules' route and it was moving when he got to the summit and found thousands of volunteers appearing, and the local mountain rescue teams had been terrific. But again, his quest was fruitless," expressed Sarah.
Tearfully adding, "He came back down about two days later, then Julian was found about 100 yards from where he had been looking. Henry made his peace with that. We know now Jules didn't survive the storm. I don't want to think about whether he died quickly."
Reflecting on Henry's bravery and his deep connection with Julian, Sarah paints a portrait of a complex father-son relationship that transcended traditional roles. Their shared passion for climbing and the mountains underscored their bond, forming a spiritual connection that Henry deeply felt.
"I look back on Julian with total fondness. He was beautiful, sweet and so young. But there was a core of the unknowable about him. Even at the end," expressed Sarah about her ex-husband.
