Jessica Duarte honored her late husband Michael, a popular food content creator who went by “FoodWithBearHands,” after his sudden death.
MEDINA COUNTY, Texas — Jessica Duarte, the wife of food and barbecue content creator Michael Duarte, is speaking out days after her husband’s death.
“I’m still struggling with the fact that he is no longer with us but I’m starting to see his purpose was SO much bigger,” she wrote in an Instagram caption under a photo of the small family. “I’m starting to see God work in mysterious ways that I’ve never experienced before and hoping that will bring our family some peace.”
Michael Duarte died, Nov. 8 in what family members originally described as a “horrible incident” while traveling in Texas. He was 36.
Medina County sheriff’s deputies said Duarte was allegedly charging at deputies responding to a call about a man acting erratically with a knife. They said he was “making threats to kill everyone.”
Law enforcement officials said Duarte charged toward a deputy while yelling, “I’m going to kill you.” The deputy then shot Duarte, and he was pronounced dead at a San Antonio hospital.
An investigation is ongoing.
Alooma Media Group, Duarte’s talent agency, described him as “a devoted husband to his wife Jessica, a loving father to his daughter, brother and a loyal friend to so many around the world.”
The 36-year-old California-based content creator had amassed more than 2 million combined followers across Instagram, TikTok, Facebook and YouTube, where he shared cooking videos and recipes focused on grilled meats and barbecue.
“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,” Jessia Duarte wrote. “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.”
Duarte’s death occurred just three days after he and Jessica celebrated their ninth wedding anniversary, according to a fundraising campaign established by a family friend. He is survived by his wife and 6-year-old daughter, Oakley.
“His warmth, kindness, and generosity were felt in every interaction, and he had a way of making everyone around him feel valued and inspired,” the agency said. “Michael’s passing is a tremendous loss to all who knew him.”
Jessica Duarte said she is working on service arrangements and will share more information with fans in the future.