The Final Hours of Michael Duarte: A Tragedy Unfolds
In a shocking and tragic turn of events, food influencer Michael Duarte, known online as FoodWithBearHands to his over 2 million social media followers, died on November 8, 2024, after being shot by police in Castroville, Texas. According to an anonymous neighbor who spoke exclusively to Us Weekly, the incident that led to Duarte’s death was “drawn-out” and occurred “over several hours.” The neighbor revealed that Duarte had been staying in a camping tent on a property where a group attending the same business event—the Texas Open Fire Meat Up barbecue festival—was renting a home. Though he had permission to camp on the property, Duarte reportedly didn’t know the renters personally. The neighbor noted that Duarte had been traveling with another man who had expressed concern about him, though it remains unclear if this companion was the one who contacted authorities.
The property’s surveillance camera reportedly captured Duarte looking “disheveled” at one point during his stay. More disturbingly, the neighbor claimed that “signs of blood” were later found on the property away from the shooting scene, including inside Duarte’s camping tent where two sleeping bags were discovered. These details paint a concerning picture of Duarte’s state in the hours before the confrontation with law enforcement. What exactly transpired during this time remains unclear, but the evidence suggests Duarte may have been experiencing some form of distress prior to the police encounter. The neighbor’s account indicates that the actual shooting occurred not on the property itself but on the street nearby, following what appears to have been escalating behavior.
Bianca Haseloff, a local realtor who was showing an empty lot to a client in the vicinity, provided further insight into the final moments before the shooting. She described hearing a male voice screaming erratically, repeatedly shouting phrases like “Someone needs to come get me!” and “Someone needs to get me out of here!” The screaming was intense enough to catch her attention, with the man sounding “very angry.” Shortly thereafter, Haseloff claims she heard what sounded like commands to “Stop!” or “Put that down!” followed by what she believed were two gunshots. Her testimony corroborates the official account that the situation had become volatile before police discharged their weapons, though the exact sequence of events remains under investigation.
According to the Medina County Sheriff’s Office statement to TMZ, officers responded to a 911 call about a “male subject with a knife acting erratically,” who was later identified as Duarte. Upon arrival, deputies reported that Duarte approached an officer in a threatening manner, ignoring “multiple verbal commands” to “get on the ground.” The spokesperson for the Sheriff’s Office claimed that Duarte yelled, “I’m going to kill you,” as he charged toward one of the deputies, which prompted the officer to fire two rounds from their weapon. After being struck, Duarte reportedly received immediate medical aid at the scene before being transported to University Hospital in San Antonio, where he was pronounced dead. This official account characterizes the shooting as a response to an imminent threat, though as with any police-involved shooting, the circumstances will likely undergo thorough investigation.
The news of Duarte’s death has sent shockwaves through his large online community. Known for his popular food videos, Duarte had built a following of more than 2 million across various social media platforms. His content had resonated with food enthusiasts who appreciated his approach and personality. The contrast between his public persona and the circumstances of his death has left many followers confused and grieving. A GoFundMe page established to support his family initially described his death as a “horrible accident,” though the details that have since emerged suggest a more complex situation. The disconnect between Duarte’s online presence and the reported circumstances of his final hours highlights the often incomplete picture social media provides of content creators’ lives.
Behind the public figure was a family man—a husband to Jessica and father to their 6-year-old daughter, Oakley. The GoFundMe page created to support them emphasizes this personal dimension, noting that “The world may know him as ‘FoodwithBearHands,’ but to us, he was a loving husband, father, brother and a great friend to many.” The sudden nature of his death has left his family not only with the emotional burden of grief but also with financial challenges, including the costs of transporting his body back to California and funeral expenses. The fundraising effort aims to provide “comfort, stability and a reminder that they are not carrying this weight alone” during this difficult time and in the years ahead. As the community processes this tragedy, the focus has appropriately shifted to supporting the loved ones Duarte left behind, particularly his young daughter who will grow up without her father.
This heartbreaking incident raises important questions about mental health crises, police responses to individuals in distress, and the support systems available for those experiencing acute psychological episodes. While the full details of what led to Duarte’s erratic behavior remain unknown, the reported sequence of events—from his disheveled appearance to the blood found in his tent, to his agitated state before the confrontation—suggests a person potentially in crisis. As investigators piece together the timeline and circumstances, this case may serve as a somber reminder of how quickly situations can escalate when mental health emergencies intersect with law enforcement responses. For Duarte’s followers, friends, and most importantly his family, the priority now becomes honoring his memory while supporting those he left behind. The contradiction between his public persona and his final hours underscores the complex and often hidden struggles individuals may face, even those who share so much of their lives online.
