Spokeswoman Audrey Doherty said Friday that Julien Hug left his parents a letter explaining to them that he was suffering from depression and felt suicide was the only way out.

10News reported Hug's body was found in a remote area off Highway 74 in Riverside County on Wednesday.

Authorities from San Diego and Riverside Counties conducted their search near Joshua Tree National Park for Hug, who disappeared on Monday.

Hug is a former contestant from the 2009 season of 'The Bachelorette' and son of well-known San Diego restaurateur, Bertrand Hug, who owns Bertrand at Mister A's in downtown San Diego.

Bertrand Hug told 10News his son was on his way to help manage the family's newest restaurant Augusta Modern, located in Palm Desert. He said two days ago, his son's phone went dead while he was driving somewhere on Highway 74 in Riverside County, which was the last time anyone had heard from him.

10News learned that the Riverside County Sheriff's Department, with assistance of a professional hiker, located a body near a vehicle similar to Julien's in a remote off-roading area about 45 miles off Highway 74 known as Pinyon Pines.

Late Wednesday, a family representative confirmed to 10News that the body was that of Julien Hug.

Authorities said several notes were found on the passenger's side of Julien's vehicle.

Longtime family friend Corky Mizer told 10News Hug was always the life of the party.

"He had the ability to make you laugh till your stomach hurt," said Mizer.

Mizer said the family is shocked and devastated by what appears to be their only son taking his own life.

"I don't know what to say about that. I don't think anybody's ever going to understand," Mizer said.

According to the Riverside County Sheriff's Department, the cause of death was determined to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound.