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Latest autopsy findings on influencer Michael Duarte’s death in police shooting
Details uncovered in an autopsy have shed light on influencer Michael Duarte’s death, revealing new information two months after he was shot and killed by police.
Duarte, 39 — who used to share his life as a “FoodWithBearHands” on the internet — was shot by a deputy on Nov. 8 and subsequently passed away at a San Antonio hospital. A representative for the Bexar County Medical Examiner’s Office had earlier confirmed to PEOPLE that he succumbed to a gunshot wound, and his death was officially classified as a homicide.
Furthermore, the autopsy report acquired by PEOPLE discloses that Duarte sustained two bullet wounds: one in his left chest and the other below his chest. As per the medical examiner, the cause of death was the gunshot injuries. The toxicology report, part of the autopsy, revealed no presence of alcohol or drugs in his body at the time of death.
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Police Version and Background of Influencer Michael Duarte’s Death
Authorities had shared their version of the incident that resulted in influencer Michael Duarte’s death.
Medina County Sheriff’s Office staff told TMZ and USA Today that a 911 call came at 11:28 a.m. on Nov. 8, regarding “a disturbance involving a male subject with a knife acting erratically” and that deputies were sent to the scene. A deputy was said to have found Duarte, at the moment, “making threats to kill everyone” and “trying to physically attack Fire and EMS personnel,” USA Today quoting from the police report.
The news site further disclosed that the officer in question gave “several verbal commands” to Duarte to lie down on the ground. He was said to have immediately ran toward her while shouting, “I’m going to kill you,” upon which she fired two shots at him and hit him.
As “FoodWithBearHands,” Duarte had over two million fans on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube combined, sharing food, BBQ, and grilling recipes. He left behind his spouse, Jessica, and their little daughter, Oakley.
Alooma Media Group, Michael Duarte’s talent agency, and wife pay tribute to late influencer
The talent agency of Michael Duarte, Alooma Media Group, revealed his demise on Nov. 9 via an Instagram post where they described him as a “true & loyal partner, a trusted collaborator, and above all, a remarkable person.”
On Nov. 13, his wife Jessica made a public statement about his passing for the first time with a heartfelt post on Instagram where she wrote that she was determined to keep his memory alive.
“I am so overwhelmed with love and proud, to have known so many people that he has inspired during his time on earth,” she stated. “He gave everyone all of him so now it’s my turn to give it back. I’m not really sure what that looks like yet but hopefully, he will show me the way.”
Jessica, also mentioned in her post that she will “continue the legacy of Michael.”
Jessica Duarte Reflects on First Thanksgiving Without Her Husband
During Thanksgiving, Michael Duarte’s wife Jessica publicly continued to work through her grief by posting a vulnerable message on Instagram.
“I know I have a lot to be thankful for but I’m going to give myself some grace and let it be ok if I’m not today,” she indicated. Jessica also revealed that she “wished the holiday was over as fast as it came.” She further commented, “I still can’t believe this is now my new normal without you. I guess I do have something to be thankful for today.”
Michael grew up in Calipatria, California, a small city near the border of the U.S. and Mexico. He first got an idea of cooking while working at a small Mexican restaurant his uncle owned. Michael referred to his uncle as his “mentor” in an Instagram post.
Michael Duarte’s Journey From Restaurant Work to Social Media Success
Michael Duarte in his young adult years was involved in the food industry, working in a number of restaurants around the San Diego area. In the course of the COVID‑19 pandemic, he went into rehab after a “mental health crisis” and later on Instagram he shared a post about it.
When he came out of rehab, Duarte was re-employed in a restaurant and started sharing stuff on social media during his free time. Later post was about his little one, and the very moment was like a flash realization.
“At that point, I understood that making content gave me so much joy,” he revealed. “Gradually, I also started to understand that a hobby was not the only thing — it could turn into a business, a venture, something bigger than me.”
Eventually, his enthusiasm was turned into a profession as an influencer and through the cooking, BBQ and grilling recipes videos he regularly posted, he managed to grow a fan base of over 2 million followers on various platforms.
