Featured Image Credit: GoFundMe
Popular social media influencer Michael "FoodWithBearHands" Duarte has tragically passed away in a shocking accident while traveling through Texas with his family, leaving the his hundreds of thousands of followers in mourning.
Duarte was famous for his food-based content having left his restaurant job following the COVID-19 pandemic and transitioned into social media work full time, after starting his cooking journey at the age of just 14.
He has over a million combined followers across his YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram accounts where he posts various recipes and cooking videos – particularly focused on barbecue food – and his bio states that his "purpose is to share to the world food to people who need it the most."
He recently went on a family trip to Texas with his wife Jessica and their 6-year-old daughter Oakley, but that trip turned to heartbreak as the social media star died in a 'shocking accident' just three days after his wedding anniversary, as reported by People.
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"It is with a heavy heart that we share the sad news that Michael Duarte passed away in a horrible incident on Saturday, November 8th during his travel in Texas," a GoFundMe page set up to support his wife and daughter details.
"The world may know him as 'FoodWithBearHands', but to us, he was a loving husband, father, brother, and a great friend to many," it adds.
Key to the reasoning behind the GoFundMe is the unexpected expense that bringing his body back to California will bring, alongside all of the funeral expenses that they now have to factor in.
"During this time, and in the months/years ahead, we want to make sure that Jessica and Oakley are taken care of as Michael would have wanted them to be," the page continues, illustrating that "your support would bring comfort, stability, and a reminder that they are not carrying this weight alone."
The fundraiser has currently raised over $64,000 on its way towards a goal of $100,000, with just under 500 total donations so far.
Alooma Media Group, Duarte's talent agency, also offered a statement following his death, asserting that "he was a true and loyal partner, a trusted collaborator, and above all, a remarkable person.
"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," the talent agency goes on to state.
Others have offered their thoughts and memories with Michael in the comments below, showing quite how much of an impact his videos and general presence on social media made to so many people's lives.
