The online food world has been shaken by the devastating loss of Michael Duarte — a beloved content creator who was tragically shot by police in Castroville, Texas, on November 8.
The 36-year-old, known to his fans as @foodwithbearhands, was reportedly involved in a tense confrontation with officers after a 911 call described “a male subject with a knife acting erratically.”
According to law enforcement sources who spoke with TMZ, officers tried to get Duarte to comply with repeated orders to get down, but the situation spiraled out of control.
The Medina County Sheriff’s Office stated that Duarte allegedly advanced toward a deputy while shouting threats, prompting the officer to fire two shots.
Despite immediate medical attention and being rushed to a nearby hospital, Duarte was later pronounced dead.
The Daily Mail reached out to the Medina County Sheriff’s Office for further comment but has yet to receive a response.
A Rising Star with a Passion for Food
Just days before his passing, Duarte had been celebrating his wedding anniversary with his wife, Jessica.
Known for his warm personality and signature cooking videos, the California native built a devoted community of more than 839,000 followers on Instagram.
His content, often featuring hearty meals and playful moments with his young daughter Oakley, brought smiles to countless fans during the pandemic and beyond.
Duarte once shared that he started posting food clips as a hobby while rebuilding a restaurant.
“On my days off, I started making food videos again—my first one was with my daughter,” he wrote in his bio. “That’s when I realized how happy creating content made me.
Over time, I began to see it wasn’t just a hobby—it could be a business, something bigger than myself.”
Outpouring of Grief and Support
The news of Duarte’s death has left friends, fans, and fellow creators heartbroken.
His talent agency, Alooma Media Group, issued a heartfelt tribute describing him as “a true and loyal partner, a trusted collaborator, and above all, a remarkable person.”
They continued, “His passion, professionalism, and creativity left a lasting mark not only on our team but on everyone who had the privilege of working with him.”
Rallying Around His Family
To help support Duarte’s loved ones, a GoFundMe campaign has been launched to assist with funeral costs and to bring his body home to California.
Funds will also go toward helping his wife Jessica and their six-year-old daughter Oakley navigate the difficult road ahead.
“We ask that you lift Michael’s family up in prayer during this extremely difficult time,” the campaign reads. “Especially for his daughter Oakley and his wife Jessica.
If you are able to help financially, please consider donating.”
As of now, the fundraiser has reached over $64,000—a testament to how many lives Duarte touched.
Remembered for His Heart and Creativity
Tributes have continued to flood Duarte’s social media pages.
One emotional message left on his Instagram read, “Love you man. I’m at a loss for words.
Too young, too big a heart. We were supposed to film something this week. Rest easy.”
Another wrote, “Mike, rest in peace my dear friend.
Thank you for all the laughs, lessons, and love. I’ll be praying hard for your wife and daughter.”
Though his life was cut tragically short, Michael Duarte’s warmth, creativity, and passion for sharing joy through food will remain etched in the memories of those who knew him—and in the hearts of the thousands who followed his journey.