Which 'Tragic Incident' Caused Food Influencer, Michael Duarte's Death? Here's Everything We Know

The online food community has been mourning the sudden and heartbreaking death of popular food creator, Michael Duarte. Popularly known as 'FoodwithBearHands', the 33-year-old influencer passed away on November 8, 2025. While the cause of his death was not revealed at first, the authorities described that he passed away in a 'tragic incident' in Castroville, Texas. Michael's demise came as a shock to his millions of followers across TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube. However, now the cause of his demise has emerged on social media.

What happened to Michael Duarte?

According to a representative from the Medina County Sheriff's Office, deputies went to responded to a 911 call where they were informed about a male subject who was acting erratically with a knife. According to TMZ, paramedics were already on the scene when the officers arrived. The Sheriff's office claimed that Michael approached one of them in a threatening manner with a knife in his hand. Despite several commands asking him to get in the group, he reportedly tried to charge towards one of them and yelled:

"I am going to kill you."

Consequently, in turn, the deputy officer discharged two rounds of her firearm on him, which immediately led to his death. According to the authorities, he received immediate medical treatment at the scene before being taken to the University Hospital in San Antonio. However, they were unable to save him. The incident is under review, and officials maintain that the deputy acted in response to an immediate threat. However, Michael's sudden and unusual behavior, and what exactly led to the call to the authorities, are being investigated. 

What was Michael Duarte's net worth? 

Michael Duarte's rising popularity on social media translated into an impressive financial success. According to verified influencer income comes, trackers and Influencer Business reports, he earned between USD 200,000 and USD 300,000 annually. These earnings came from multiple sources, including sponsored content, brand partnerships, and affiliate engagements. His estimated net worth in 2025 was around USD 1 million.

Michael had collaborated with several well-known kitchen brands over time in grilling and other niches. He frequently showcased those sponsored cooking accessories, sauces, and tools, aligning with his food and barbecue content. His unique, grounded, approachable, and humorous side, along with creative recipes, consistently made him a fan favourite when the COVID-19 pandemic started. However, a GoFundMe page was started after his demise to help his wife and daughter with the expensive charges incurred in bringing him back home from Texas and his funeral costs.

Who is Michael Duarte's wife, Jessica?

Michael Duarte is survived by his wife of nine years, Jessica, and their six-year-old daughter, Oakley. Although Jessica kept a low profile compared to her husband, she was often featured in his posts, and his followers admired their natural chemistry. The duo had recently marked their nine years of togetherness just three days before his demise. Michael's roots trace back to Calipatria, California, where he first fell in love with cooking at his uncle's Mexican restaurant. He eventually turned his passion into a digital career, but his tragic demise has cut his journey short.

Rest in peace, Michael Duarte  

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