Updated 07:45 14 Nov 2025 GMTPublished 07:29 14 Nov 2025 GMT
Influencer Michael Duarte’s wife breaks silence after he was shot and killed by police 3 days after wedding anniversary
Michael Duarte was fatally shot by police
The wife of influencer Michael Duarte has spoken out after he was shot and killed by police while traveling with his family.
Duarte, known more fondly for his cooking content under the social media handle, FoodWithBearHands, was fatally shot by cops in Castroville, Texas, on Saturday (November 8).
Police reportedly responded to a 911 call over a disturbance involving a man ‘with a knife acting erratically’, according to a spokesperson for the Medina County Sheriff’s Office, according to TMZ.
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The force further confirmed that a deputy then discharged two rounds from her duty weapon, which fatally struck Duarte after he allegedly charged at her with a knife.
The Californian influencer was later pronounced dead at a nearby hospital, with his passing first being announced by his agency, which wrote on Instagram that it was ‘with profound sadness that we share the passing of our valued client and dear friend, Michael Duarte’.
Michael Duarte, who was known for his cooking videos on social media, died on Saturday (Instagram/foodwithbearhands)
The social media star is survived by his wife, Jessica, and their six-year-old daughter.
Following the incident, Duarte’s family said their ‘loving husband, father, brother and great friend to many’ died ‘in a horrible accident’.
“Michael’s death occurred just 3 short days after he and his wife celebrated their 9 year wedding anniversary,” a GoFundMe reads.
Now, Duarte’s wife, Jessica, has spoken out by posting an emotional tribute to her husband on Instagram.
“I feel so touched and proud to know so many people that he has inspired over his time here on earth. I plan to keep his legacy going not only for him but his family,” she began.
“He gave everyone every bit of him so it’s my turn to give it back. I’m not quite sure what that looks like yet but hopefully he will lead me on that path,” the post read.
Jessica has broken her silence following her husband’s death (GoFundMe)
She also thanked people who have reached out to her, sharing that “the outpouring love has really given [her] strength.”
Jessica continued: “I’m still struggling with the fact that he is no longer with us, but l’m starting to see his purpose was SO much bigger. I’m starting to see God work in mysterious ways that l’ve never experienced before and hoping that will bring our family some peace.
“Mike, I’m proud to be your wife and I will carry that title with honor for the rest of my life. See you on the other side, Daddy.”
She added that funeral arrangements were underway and that an investigation into her husband’s death is ongoing.
The GoFundMe, which has over $80,000 raised at the time of writing, added: “This heartbreak came without warning, leaving Jessica to incur the expense of bringing him back home to California and covering funeral expenses.”
It also said that funeral plans were ‘undecided at this time’, but that an update would be given at a later date.Featured Image Credit: Instagram/Michael Duarte
Published 19:02 13 Nov 2025 GMT
TV reporter with same name as influencer Michael Duarte slammed for ‘tasteless’ response to his death
The NBC journalist has come under fire for his
A journalist who shares the same name as an influencer who tragically died this month has come under some criticism for making a ‘tasteless’ remark.
On Saturday (November 8), Michael Duarte, a beloved social media star from California who made cooking videos under the handle FoodWithBearHands, was shot and killed by cops while traveling in Texas.
Officers were reportedly responding to reports of a man ‘with a knife acting erratically’ when a deputy fired her duty weapon that fatally struck Duarte.
Now, a reporter for NBC LA whom shares the same first and last name of the late father, has landed in hot water for his viral reaction to the foodie’s death.
Duarte reposted a tribute piece by TMZ with a simple emoji, understood to express being ‘mind-blown’.
The social media star died on Saturday (GoFundMe)
While dozens spotted the apparent joke, wishing the sports reporter condolences ‘for your loss of yourself’ as another jibed about a ‘ghost’ being on the platform, some considered the post a little insensitive.
“Maybe having the same name is NOT a good enough reason to seek attention and engagement for another man’s death,” said a disgruntled viewer to the journalist on X, formerly Twitter.
A second chimed: “Posting this to grift off someone’s death is peak levels of pathetic, but hey you got the engagement you were desperate for.”
Meanwhile, a third critic penned: “Tasteless joke, this is someone’s passing, a bit of decency would be welcomed.”
Earlier this week, a GoFundMe for the food influencer said their ‘loving husband, father, brother and great friend to many’ died ‘in a horrible incident’.
“Michael’s death occurred just 3 short days after he and his wife celebrated their 9 year wedding anniversary,” the fundraiser continued.
The star is survived by his wife, Jessica, and their six-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 social media star only recently shared his story before the tragedy unfolded (Instagram/foodwithbearhands)
The tragedy comes as Duarte amassed a serious social media following to the tune of two million across several platforms, where he posted BBQ cook-outs, recipes, cooking top tips and other of his meaty creations.
“My purpose is to share to the world food to people who need it the most,” his Instagram bio read.
In the weeks before his death, Duarte also told his ‘story’ in a post on Instagram, revealing he never had a ‘father figure’ and was a ‘momma’s boy’.
He said his uncle, Arthur Barros, ‘became a mentor to me’, recruiting him into his first restaurant job when he was 14 and taught him how to cook.
Tragically, his mom died of breast cancer when he was just 21 and despite a brief stint in rehab following a ‘metal health crisis’ in the Covid-19 pandemic, he got back on his feet and cooking again.
Duarte’s channel hit it off when he posted food videos with his daughter and it grew into his business.Featured Image Credit: Todd Oren / Foodwithbearhands
Published 15:45 5 Sep 2025 GMT+1
Neighbor charged with murder after boy, 11, was shot and killed during ‘ding dong ditch’ prank
Gonzalo Leon has been charged with murder
A man from Texas has been charged with murder after an 11-year-old boy was fatally shot in Houston after the viral ‘ding dong ditch’ prank went terribly wrong.
The game involves ringing a doorbell to a random individual’s house and running away before somebody answers the door.
11-year-old Julian Guzman decided to play the prank last Saturday (August 30) in Houston at around 10:55pm local time near Mimbrough and Fidelity streets in the city.
A witness told KHOU 11 that someone chased the child down the street with a weapon before firing rounds at the 11-year-old.
Houston Police Department confirmed the boy was pronounced dead on Sunday (August 31) by doctors as their investigation continues.
They said in a new release: “Houston police are investigating the fatal shooting of a juvenile male in the 9700 block of Racine Street about 10:55 p.m. on Saturday (Aug. 30).
Police pictured at the scene (YouTube/KHOU 11)
“The identity of the deceased male, 11, is pending verification by the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences.”
Gonzalo Leon has since been charged with murdering the 11-year-old after being arrested on Tuesday (September 2), according to the Houston Police Department.
Leon was arrested two days after the shooting, with Sgt. Michael Cass suggesting evidence does not support a potential self-defense claim.
He told KHOU: “In my opinion, it does not look like any type of self-defense. It wasn’t close to the house, so it’ll more than likely be a murder charge.”
After being called to the incident last weekend, HPD Homicide Division Sergeant M. Cass and Detective J. Brown reported: “HPD patrol officers responded to a shooting call at the above address and learned a male was shot and had been transported to an area hospital. Doctors pronounced him deceased today (Aug. 31).
Gonzalo Leon faces murder charges (Houston Police Department)
“Officers were told the male was ringing doorbells of homes in the area and running away. A witness stated the male was running from a house, after ringing the doorbell, just prior to suffering a gunshot wound.”
KHOU spoke to neighbors in the area, who were understandably left shocked by events to have taken place in the past few days.
“What harm could they have done? Playing with a doorbell? That’s the part that really kind of hurts the heart,” one told the outlet. “For someone to shoot him in the back, they knew they were a kid. What’s the purpose of it?”
It’s unclear at this time whether Leon has entered a plea, while any attorney details are not readily available.Featured Image Credit: Houston Police Department