Autopsy Report Provides New Information in Tragic Death of Social Media Chef
Further details have emerged regarding the shocking death of beloved food influencer Michael Duarte, known online as Food With Bear Hands. The 36-year-old chef died on November 8th following a confrontation with Texas police officers, and the recently released autopsy report provides crucial new information about the circumstances surrounding his passing.
Autopsy Findings and Toxicology Results
The official autopsy report reveals that Duarte sustained two gunshot wounds during the incident. According to medical examiners, one bullet struck his left chest while another impacted just below that area. Perhaps more significantly, comprehensive toxicology testing confirmed that Duarte had no alcohol or drugs present in his system at the time of his death.
These findings come several weeks after the Bexar County Medical Examiner's Office officially classified Duarte's death as a homicide, confirming that he died from the gunshot wounds sustained during the confrontation with law enforcement.
Details of the Fatal Confrontation
According to official reports from the Medina County Sheriff's Office, the tragic incident began when officers responded to a 911 call concerning a male subject reportedly behaving erratically while armed with a knife. Upon arrival, deputies encountered Duarte allegedly making threats and attempting to assault emergency medical personnel.
Law enforcement officials state that the deputy involved issued multiple verbal commands for Duarte to get on the ground. When he allegedly charged toward the deputy while shouting threatening statements, the officer discharged her firearm twice, striking Duarte. Medical personnel treated him at the scene before transporting him to a nearby hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
A Flourishing Social Media Career Cut Short
Michael Duarte had built an impressive digital presence across multiple platforms, amassing more than two million followers through his engaging cooking videos, barbecue tutorials, and grilling recipes. His content resonated particularly well on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube, where he shared his culinary passion with a dedicated global audience.
What began as a pandemic-era hobby evolved into a successful business venture for Duarte. In social media biographies, he described how creating content brought him genuine happiness, particularly when filming cooking segments with his young daughter. His talent agency, Alooma Media Group, released a statement expressing profound sadness at his passing, describing him as a valued client, trusted collaborator, and remarkable individual whose creativity left a lasting impact.
Family Mourning and Moving Forward
Duarte is survived by his wife, Jessica, and their six-year-old daughter, Oakley. The couple had recently celebrated their ninth wedding anniversary before the tragedy unfolded. In emotional social media posts, Jessica has openly shared her grief while expressing determination to preserve her husband's legacy.
She described struggling with the reality of his absence while finding solace in the overwhelming support from fans and the barbecue community. Jessica has indicated plans to continue sharing Michael's stories and content, viewing this as a way to honor his memory and maintain his digital presence for their family.
A GoFundMe campaign has been established to assist with funeral expenses and facilitate Duarte's return to California. Meanwhile, authorities continue their active investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death, as the family makes arrangements for memorial services to celebrate his life and culinary contributions.
