Julian Sands' ex-wife has said the late British actor "always had to take the hard path" and even at the end of his life had "sought a challenge".
Sarah Sands, former editor of the Evening Standard, was married to the actor from 1984 to 1987 and they share a son, Henry, who is now in his late 30s.
Saying that the actor was "restless… both artistically and geographically", she also spoke about how the actor left her and their then-infant son soon after his acting career took off.
Sands, who was 65, went missing in the San Gabriel mountains in southern California in January, prompting a manhunt that lasted for over five months. His remains were found by civilian hikers in June.
Speaking to the Daily Mail, Sarah Sands said that as her then-husband’s career had taken off, he had become "restless", and had later left her and their infant son to move to California.
"Julian had to dismantle perfection," she said.
"Just when all had come good with the film [A Room With A View] and we had Henry, at that point his restlessness took over.
"He didn’t leave me for anyone else. There wasn’t a plan. He just said he was going to California."
She added: "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."
Sands was best-known for his breakout role in the 1985 romantic period drama A Room With A View, in which he starred alongside Helena Bonham Carter, and he later transitioned successfully to the horror genre.
He was known for his love of the outdoors and hiking in the surrounding areas, and was considered an experienced and competent mountaineer by his friends.
His former wife also spoke of his adventurous streak, saying: "It’s hard to think of him being old. He was restless, curious; both artistically and geographically an adventurer.
"I couldn’t imagine him being imprisoned in any way; through illness or old age. Grounded, he’d call it.
"He used to refer to home as 'base camp’."
She also spoke about how their son Henry flew to LA as soon as he heard his father was missing, to help in the search.
"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."
She continued, "I imagined Jules up that mountain and Henry looking for him.
"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."
Henry returned to the mountain several months later and searched 100 yards from where his father was eventually found.
Sands’ family is reportedly planning memorial services in Los Angeles and the UK later this year, though no details have been made public.
Source: Press Association
