Influencer Michael Duarte’s Wife Breaks Silence After He Is Shot and Killed By Police in Alleged Confrontation

Food influencer Michael Duarte’s wife, Jessica, has spoken publicly for the first time since he was shot and killed by police during an alleged confrontation.

Posting from Duarte’s Instagram account, Jessica shared a heartfelt message about navigating life after the loss of her husband.

“I feel so touched and proud to know so many people that he has inspired over his time here on earth. I plan to keep his legacy going not only for him but his family,” she wrote.

“He gave everyone every bit of him so it’s my turn to give it back. I’m not quite sure what that looks like yet but hopefully he will lead me on that path,” she continued, expressing gratitude to those who have reached out, saying the “outpouring love” has given her strength.

“I can feel him moving mountains❤️, a big thank you to my tribe,” she added, offering a special thank-you to Duarte’s BBQ community for making her feel supported.

“I’m still struggling with the fact that he is no longer with us but I’m starting to see his purpose was SO much bigger. I’m starting to see God work in mysterious ways that I’ve never experienced before and hoping that will bring our family some peace.”

Jessica closed the tribute with a message directly to her late husband:
“Mike, I’m proud to be your wife and I will carry that title with honor for the rest of my life. See you on the other side, Daddy ❤️.”

She noted that funeral arrangements are being made and that an active investigation remains ongoing.

The 39-year-old content creator — known as “FoodWithBearHands” — had more than 2 million followers across Instagram, TikTok, Facebook and YouTube, where he shared BBQ and grilling content. He and Jessica share a 6-year-old daughter named Oakley.

Duarte’s death was first announced by his talent agency, Alooma Media Group, in a Nov. 9 Instagram post. Representatives for the Medina County Sheriff’s Office later confirmed to TMZ and USA Today that Duarte was shot by a deputy after allegedly charging at her with a knife during a disturbance call.

According to USA Today, a 911 call on Nov. 8 reported a man with a knife “acting erratically.” Authorities alleged Duarte was “making threats to kill everyone” and “attempting to assault Fire and EMS personnel.” After giving repeated commands for him to get on the ground, the deputy said Duarte ran toward her while yelling, “I’m going to kill you,” leading her to fire twice. Duarte was taken to a San Antonio hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

A GoFundMe created to support his family described the incident as a “horrible accident,” saying Jessica now faces the costs of bringing him home to California and covering funeral expenses.

Duarte grew up in Calipatria, California, close to the U.S.-Mexico border, where he first learned to cook in a small Mexican restaurant owned by his uncle — a mentor he often spoke about.

In adulthood, he worked multiple restaurant jobs around San Diego. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he went to rehab after what he called a “mental health crisis.” After completing treatment, he returned to work and began posting cooking content online.

“My first one was with my daughter,” he once wrote on Instagram. “That’s when I realized how happy creating content made me. Over time, I began to see it wasn’t just a hobby — it could be a business, something bigger than myself.”