Bachelorette contestant and San Diego native Julien Hug found dead in Riverside

Julien Hug, former contestant on “The Bachelorette” in 2009 and son of San Diego restaurant owner Bertrand Hug was reported missing on Monday, November 1. As of Wednesday, November 3, 2010 Riverside authorities had reported a body found in a remote area off of Highway 74, the body was confirmed by family members to be that of 35 year old Julien Hug.

Teams from San Diego and Riverside police began a search for Hug after he was reported missing. They were looking near Joshua Tree National Park. The body was found near Pinyon Pines around 11am Wednesday. Late Wednesday a family spokesperson confirmed that the body was that of Julien Hug. Deputy Melissa Nieburger of the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department has declined to provide any information about the condition of the body or who contacted the authorities.

Hug’s father, Bertrand, told local news station KGTV that his son was on his way to help manage the family’s newest restaurant in Palm Desert. He was last heard from two days ago when his cell phone went dead while he was driving along Highway 74.

Hug graduated from Torrey Pines High School in 1993. His family owns the well-known Mille Fleurs in Rancho Santa Fe and Bertrand at Mister A’s by Balboa Park.

Jillian Harris, the Bachelorette contestant from Season 5 released a statement saying, “I am completely heartbroken for the Hug family, and my whole heart goes out to them today as they mourn a precious life that ended far too soon. It’s very difficult to find the words to express my condolences, but I will always remember Julien’s gentle demeanor and kind heart, which will be sadly missed.”