Who was Michael Duarte? Influencer FoodWithBearHands Dies; GoFundMe Raises $58K

Michael Duarte, widely known as “FoodWithBearHands,” has passed away, Alooma Media Group confirmed in a heartfelt statement. The talent management agency described him as a “valued client and dear friend” and added:

“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, a food and barbecue content creator, gained popularity for his viral recipes and engaging commentary. Originally from Calipatria, California, he was raised by a single mother, whom he described as “my mom and my dad.” After moving to San Diego at 18, he tragically lost his mother to breast cancer at 21. Duarte often credited his uncle as his first mentor.

Having worked in various restaurants, Duarte began posting cooking videos during the COVID-19 pandemic. He openly shared his struggles with mental health, recalling a crisis during the pandemic that led to rehab. “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,” he had written.

Following rehab, Duarte returned to posting content, growing a significant following across Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube. He was married to Jessica for over nine years, and the couple had a six-year-old daughter, Oakley.

A GoFundMe page, launched by Nena Petricca of El Cajon, California, confirmed that Duarte passed away on Saturday, November 8, after “a horrible incident” while traveling to Texas. The fundraising effort, aimed at supporting Duarte’s family, has raised over $58,000 from more than 410 donations toward a $100,000 goal.

“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,” the campaign stated.

The page also emphasized that donations would help with funeral costs and provide financial stability for Jessica and Oakley, honoring Michael’s memory. Tributes have poured in online, while the family has yet to announce funeral arrangements.