Julien Hug — who competed for Jillian Harris' heart on ABC's The Bachelorette last year — was found dead along a scenic Southern California highway, about 90 miles southeast of Los Angeles.
The contestant's father, Bertrand Hug, confirmed the body was found Wednesday in a remote area that most people would need to hike to get to. He had been missing since Monday.
Fellow contestant Kiptyn Locke told a San Diego newspaper Wednesday night that he had just been informed of the death, calling it "crushing news."
The two had stayed in touch since shooting the show together.
Hug, 35, was “one of the most positive, standout people I have met," Locke said. "He was always trying to help other people … From the very first time I met him, he was just a very selfless guy."
On the show, Hug described himself as an adventurer. "The sense of freedom that comes from skydiving is a big thrill," he said on the Season 5 opener.
He only lasted two weeks on the show before he was eliminated.
In a Twitter message, Bachelorette Harris urged fans: "Please say a prayer for the loss of a friend this morning. Life is fragile, don't forget to love the ones you love."
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The cause of death is being investigated; an autopsy is scheduled for Thursday.
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