Funeral services for Julien Hug set for Nov. 12

Family announces details of service

Investigators do not suspect foul play in the death of Julien Hug. On Friday afternoon the coroner’s office reported that Hug’s death was the result of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department confirmed late Thursday night that the body found in a remote area east of Anza was that of Hug.

The sheriff’s department found Hug’s body near a vehicle in a remote off-roading area, about 45 miles away from Highway 74 in Riverside County on Wednesday, sources told City News Service and KGTV late Wednesday. Bertrand Hug, owner of Mille Fleurs and Mr. A’s, told KGTV that his son was on his way to help manage the family’s newest restaurant in Palm Desert, Augusta Modern.

He was last heard from five days ago when his cell phone went dead while he was driving somewhere on Highway 74, the elder Hug said. Julien Hug’s vehicle was found in a remote area on a Forest Service access road. “Due to dense foliage and ground cover, the Riverside Sheriff’s Aviation Unit responded to conduct an aerial check,” the sheriff’s department press release reported. At about 4 p.m. the aviation unit located the body, which was inaccessible to ground personnel. Members of the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department Coroner’s Bureau “were hoisted to the location via helicopter to conduct a preliminary investigation.”

Because of the terrain and setting sun, the coroners unit had to return on Thursday, Nov. 4., at about 10 a.m. to recover Hug’s body. He was transported to the bureau’s Perris office for investigation and later positively identified as 35-year-old Hug. Julien Hug graduated from Torrey Pines High School in 1993 and appeared as a contestant on “The Bachelorette” TV show in 2009.

A public funeral service is planned for 3 p.m. Friday, Nov. 12, at Village Church in Rancho Santa Fe. All are welcome, Bertand said.

In lieu of flowers, Bertand asks well-wishers to send donations to the Julien Hug Foundation, c/o of the The Village Community Presbyterian Church P.O. Box 704 or at 6225 Paseo Delicias, Rancho Sante Fe, Calif., 92067.