A beloved food content creator who built a following of millions through barbecue and grilling videos has died in what family members described as a tragic incident whilst traveling in Texas.
Michael Duarte, known online as “FoodWithBearHands,” died on 8 November at age 36. His talent agency, Alooma Media Group, confirmed his death in a statement posted to Instagram on Saturday. The specific circumstances of his death have not been publicly disclosed.
“It is with profound sadness that we share the passing of our valued client and dear friend, Michael Duarte,” the agency wrote. “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 California-based content creator had accumulated more than 2 million combined followers across Instagram, TikTok, Facebook and YouTube, where he shared cooking videos and recipes centred on grilled meats and barbecue.
Duarte’s death occurred just three days after he and his wife, Jessica, celebrated their ninth wedding anniversary, according to a fundraising campaign established by a family friend. He is survived by his wife and 6-year-old daughter, Oakley.
“This heartbreak came without warning, leaving Jessica to incur the expense of bringing him back home to California and covering funeral expenses,” the fundraising page stated. As of Tuesday, the campaign had raised more than $60,000 toward a $100,000 goal.
“To the world you were foodwithbearhands but to us you were a loving husband and father,” Jessica wrote on Instagram. “You didn’t deserve this. I will love you forever and I will be strong for our daughter and I know how much you loved us. If everyone can stop and please pray for our family. To my husband I will miss you…until we meet again.”
Born and raised in Calipatria, California, Duarte was raised by a single mother who died of breast cancer when he was 21. He learned cooking from his uncle, who operated a small Mexican restaurant, and worked at various establishments in the San Diego area after relocating there at age 18.
Duarte began posting cooking videos during the COVID-19 pandemic after seeking treatment for mental health issues. In a previous social media post, he described experiencing a mental breakdown during the pandemic shutdown.
“Looking back, I know that breakdown came from feeling like I had failed at life,” he wrote. “The shutdown hit me hard and took a big toll on my confidence.”
His first video featured his daughter, and he discovered that creating content brought him happiness. His Instagram bio reflected his mission: “My purpose is to share to the world food to people who need it the most.”
Alooma Media Group described Duarte as “a devoted husband to his wife Jessica, a loving father to his daughter, brother and a loyal friend to so many around the world.”
“His warmth, kindness, and generosity were felt in every interaction, and he had a way of making everyone around him feel valued and inspired,” the agency said. “Michael’s passing is a tremendous loss to all who knew him.”
The sudden loss of Duarte at just 36 years old leaves a void in the food content creator community where he had built reputation not merely for cooking skills but for authenticity and relatability that resonated with millions of followers. His journey from mental health struggles during the pandemic to becoming a successful content creator represented an inspiring narrative that many followers connected with personally.
The timing of his death, occurring just days after celebrating nine years of marriage with Jessica, adds particular poignancy to the tragedy. Wedding anniversaries represent milestones couples anticipate and celebrate together, making the swift transition from celebration to devastating loss especially cruel for his widow.
Jessica’s public statement acknowledging that “to the world you were foodwithbearhands but to us you were a loving husband and father” captures the duality many public figures experience. Whilst millions knew Duarte through his online persona and cooking content, his family knew him in intimate domestic roles that existed separate from his public identity.
Her pledge to “be strong for our daughter” whilst processing her own grief reflects the impossible position many surviving spouses face when children depend on them. The responsibility to provide stability and comfort for Oakley whilst managing her own trauma creates compounded emotional burden.
The fundraising campaign’s rapid progress toward its $100,000 goal, having raised more than $60,000 within days, demonstrates the genuine affection Duarte’s audience felt for him. Followers who enjoyed his content are now contributing financially to help his family manage unexpected funeral expenses and the costs of transporting his body from Texas to California.
The logistical complexities and expenses of death occurring far from home compound the emotional trauma families experience. Interstate body transportation, funeral arrangements in unfamiliar locations, and coordination across distance create additional stress during already overwhelming circumstances.
Duarte’s background, raised by a single mother in Calipatria who died of breast cancer when he was 21, reveals early experiences with loss and adversity that shaped his character. Losing a parent at 21, just as young adulthood begins, creates lasting impacts on individuals’ emotional lives and relationships.
