Dad: 'Bachelorette' Contestant Found Dead Off Route 74 In Pinyon Pines

PALM DESERT (AP) — The father of a contestant on "The Bachelorette" reality television show says his son's body has been found off a scenic Southern California highway.

San Diego's KGTV says 35-year-old Julien Hug's father Bertrand Hug confirmed his son's body was found Wednesday.

But Riverside County sheriff's and coroner's investigators won't confirm the identity or whether they suspect foul play. An autopsy is scheduled Thursday.

Sheriff's Sgt. Joe Borja says a body was found at 11 a.m. in the remote Pinyon Pines area off State Route 74. The Pines-to-Palms Highway links Palm Desert and Hemet some 90 miles southeast of Los Angeles in Riverside County.

Julien Hug, who was bachelor contestant on the ABC reality show in May 2009, is the son of San Diego restaurateurs Bertrand and Denise Hug.

(© Copyright 2010 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)