FoodWithBearHands Influencer Michael Duarte Dies in Texas Incident

Calipatria, California – Michael Duarte, known to his fans as “FoodWithBearHands,” died on Saturday, Nov. 8, while traveling to Texas. The news was confirmed by Alooma Media Group, his talent management agency, which described him as a “valued client and dear friend.”

In a statement, Alooma praised Duarte, saying, “Michael was so much more than a client to us at Alooma. He was a true & 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.” Duarte was a popular food and barbecue content creator, known for his engaging recipes and commentary.

Born in Calipatria, Duarte was raised by a single mother, whom he described as “my mom and my dad.” After moving to San Diego at 18, he faced tragedy when he lost his mother to breast cancer at the age of 21. He often credited his uncle as his first mentor in his culinary journey.

Duarte began sharing cooking videos during the COVID-19 pandemic and was open about his struggles with mental health. He recalled a crisis that led him to rehab, saying, “Looking back, I know that breakdown came from feeling like I had failed at life. The shutdown [during COVID] hit me hard and took a big toll on my confidence.” After rehab, he returned to social media, gaining a large following on platforms like Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube.

He was married to Jessica for over nine years and had a six-year-old daughter named Oakley. A GoFundMe page launched by Nena Petricca of El Cajon, California, confirmed his passing after a “horrible incident” during his travel to Texas. The campaign aims to support his family, raising over $58,000 from more than 410 donations toward a $100,000 goal.

The GoFundMe page stated, “The world may know him as ‘FoodwithBearHands,’ but to us, he was a loving husband, father, brother, and a great friend to many. We ask that you lift Michael’s family up in prayer during this extremely difficult time, especially for his 6-year-old daughter Oakley, and his wife Jessica.” Donations will help cover funeral costs and provide financial support for Jessica and Oakley, as they honor Michael’s memory. The family has not yet announced funeral arrangements.