A journalist sharing the same name as a recently deceased influencer has faced backlash over a remark deemed inappropriate.
Michael Duarte, a popular social media figure known for his cooking videos under the alias FoodWithBearHands, was tragically shot and killed by police in Texas on Saturday (November 8). Duarte, from California, met this fate when officers responded to reports of a man behaving unpredictably with a knife. A deputy’s gunfire resulted in his death.
An NBC LA reporter, also named Michael Duarte, has been criticized for his online response to the influencer’s passing. He shared a tribute article by TMZ, accompanied by a mind-blown emoji.
The reaction garnered mixed feedback. Some users joked about the situation, offering condolences to the reporter ‘for your loss of yourself,’ while others were critical, labeling the post as insensitive.
“Maybe having the same name is NOT a good enough reason to seek attention and engagement for another man’s death,” one user commented on the journalist’s post on X, previously known as Twitter.
Another remarked: “Posting this to grift off someone’s death is peak levels of pathetic, but hey you got the engagement you were desperate for.”
A third person described the post as a “Tasteless joke,” asserting, “this is someone’s passing, a bit of decency would be welcomed.”
In the aftermath of the incident, a GoFundMe page highlighted Duarte as a ‘loving husband, father, brother, and great friend to many,’ who died unexpectedly. The fundraiser mentioned his recent wedding anniversary, just three days before his death.
The influencer is survived by his wife, Jessica, and their daughter, Oakley, aged six. The fundraiser noted the sudden financial burden on Jessica, including repatriation and funeral costs.
Duarte had built a significant online presence with two million followers across platforms, sharing BBQ techniques, recipes, and more through his food-focused content. His Instagram bio declared, “My purpose is to share to the world food to people who need it the most.”
Before his death, Duarte shared aspects of his life story on Instagram, mentioning the absence of a father figure and the influence of his uncle, Arthur Barros, who mentored him and introduced him to cooking at a young age.
Despite losing his mother to breast cancer at 21 and experiencing a temporary setback during the Covid-19 pandemic, Duarte managed to recover and continue pursuing his passion for cooking, which he often shared with his daughter, leading to a successful business venture.