‘FoodWithBearHands’ creator Michael Duarte, 36, was shot and killed by a deputy in Texas after allegedly charging with a knife. Investigation underway into the fatal encounter and the star’s sudden erratic behaviour.
The digital food world is reeling from the sudden and tragic death of popular content creator Michael Duarte, known to his over 2 million followers as “FoodWithBearHands”.
Duarte, 36, died on Saturday, November 8, 2025, after being fatally shot by a sheriff’s deputy in Castroville, Texas, while on a family trip.
Initial reports from Duarte’s family called his passing a “horrible incident,” but officials from Medina County have since released chilling details regarding the fatal encounter.
The shooting has sparked an investigation led by the Texas Rangers.
The Incident: Charging with a Knife
The tragic event unfolded after Medina County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a 911 call in Castroville reporting a “male subject with a knife acting erratically.”
According to law enforcement:
- Duarte, who had reportedly been threatening and charging at other emergency personnel, was armed with a knife when a deputy arrived.
- The deputy issued multiple verbal commands for Duarte to drop the weapon and get on the ground, but he did not comply.
- Instead, Duarte allegedly charged toward the responding deputy while yelling, “I’m going to kill you.”
- The deputy then discharged her firearm twice, striking Duarte. He was rushed to a San Antonio hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
The investigation is ongoing, and authorities have not provided further details on what led to Duarte’s erratic behavior. Reports indicate Duarte had been open about his past struggles with mental health and had sought treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Legacy: From Mental Health Struggle to BBQ Star
Michael Duarte, a California native, built a massive following across TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube with his engaging and often hands-on cooking videos, focusing heavily on grilled meats and barbecue.
His cheerful demeanour and passion for food, combined with a willingness to share his personal journey, created a devoted fanbase.
- Online Mission: Duarte’s Instagram bio stated, “my purpose is to share to the world food to people who need it the most,” reflecting his history of donating meals to those in need.
- Family Man: Just three days before the tragedy, Duarte had celebrated his ninth wedding anniversary with his wife, Jessica. He is survived by Jessica and their six-year-old daughter, Oakley, who sometimes appeared in his cooking clips.
His talent agency, Alooma Media Group, confirmed his death, mourning him as a “devoted husband, a loving father… and a loyal friend.”
A GoFundMe campaign has been established by the family to cover the expenses of bringing Duarte’s body back home to California and funeral costs, with thousands of fans showing their support.
