Michael Duarte, the influencer and chef known for his love of all things barbecue, died while traveling with his family in Texas, his friends and agent confirmed Tuesday.
Medina County officials said Duarte was fatally shot by a sheriff’s deputy last weekend after Duarte charged at the deputy and threatened to kill her, the San Antonio Express-News reported. His agent and friends called it a “horrible incident.”
Medina County deputies responded to a disturbance Nov. 8 in Castroville involving a man “with a knife acting erratically,” Medina County Sheriff Randy Brown said.
Duarte reportedly was threatening to “kill everyone” and also tried to assault fire and EMS responders, the sheriff’s office told the Express-News, and did not follow the deputy’s commands.
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“The deputy discharged two rounds from her duty weapon, striking [Duarte],” the sheriff’s office said.
Duarte was pronounced dead at a hospital. He was 39. The Texas Rangers will lead the investigation into the incident, the Express-News reported.
Duarte, a self-taught grill master, posted about his craft under the Instagram handle Food with Bear Hands.
The influencer hailed from Calipatria, Calif., a small city about 50 miles north of the Mexico border. He began cooking in his uncle’s Mexican restaurant at age 14, then moved to San Diego at 18, working his way up at various restaurants from dishwasher to manager.
COVID-19 brought lockdown, a “breaking point” and a “mental health crisis” that sent him to rehab, he wrote in an autobiographical Instagram post late last month.
After rehab, Duarte discovered a passion for creating cooking videos and decided to make it his living. He had amassed 12 million followers across several social media platforms prior to his death.
Bereaved friends, fellow foodies, fans and others mourned the loss of a “loving husband, father, brother and a great friend to many,” as the funding appeal described him.
“He was a true and loyal partner, a trusted collaborator, and above all, a remarkable person,” his talent agency, Alooma Media Group, posted on Instagram. “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.”
He leaves behind wife Jessica Duarte and 6-year-old daughter, Oakley, according to a GoFundMe set up for his family.
New York Daily News and the San Antonio Express-News contributed to this report.