Popular food influencer Michael Duarte, known online as @FoodWithBearHands, has died following what his family described as a “horrible incident.” The tragedy occurred just days after he and his wife Jessica celebrated their wedding anniversary.
According to a GoFundMe page shared via Duarte’s official Instagram account, he passed away on November 8 while traveling through Texas. The page described that Duarte “passed away without warning in a horrible incident.”
At this time, the exact cause of death has not been publicly revealed.
Food influencer Michael Duarte dies in a “horrible incident” just days after celebrating his wedding anniversary with his wife.
What we know: https://t.co/9C8U9rTzJK pic.twitter.com/sSBviLVGyn
— TMZ (@TMZ) November 11, 2025
Talent Agency Confirms His Passing
In an official statement, Alooma Media Group, Duarte’s talent agency, confirmed the heartbreaking news: “It is with profound sadness that we share the passing of our valued client and dear friend, Michael Duarte. He was a true and loyal partner, a trusted collaborator, and above all, a remarkable person. 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.”
The statement highlighted Duarte’s impact on the food content community, describing him as an inspiring creator who brought authenticity, humor, and positivity to his millions of followers.
GoFundMe Raises Thousands to Support Duarte’s Family
The GoFundMe campaign, created to assist Duarte’s family, has raised over $61,000 to help with funeral expenses, transportation of his body back to California, and support for his wife Jessica and six-year-old daughter, Oakley.
“We ask that you lift Michael’s family up in prayer during this extremely difficult time, especially for his daughter Oakley and his wife Jessica,” the fundraiser reads.
Fans and fellow creators have filled Duarte’s social media pages with condolences, sharing how his kindness and creativity touched their lives.
From Pandemic Hobby to Social Media Stardom
Duarte’s journey to fame began during the COVID-19 pandemic, when he started sharing food videos as a side hobby while helping rebuild a restaurant. His engaging style, sense of humor, and love for cooking quickly earned him a massive online following.
“On my days off, I started posting food videos again — my first one was with my daughter. That’s when I realized how happy creating content made me,” Duarte once wrote on Instagram.
Over time, Duarte built an audience of over 2 million followers across Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube, where his signature “bear hands” barbecue videos became viral hits.
Remembering Michael Duarte’s Legacy
Duarte’s social media bio perfectly reflected his generous and community-driven spirit: “My purpose is to share food with people who need it the most.”
He was widely admired not only for his creativity but also for his authentic personality and devotion to his family.
Michael Duarte is survived by his wife of nine years, Jessica, and their daughter, Oakley.
His sudden passing leaves a void in the online food community, where his warmth, laughter, and love for sharing food inspired millions.
