Food influencer Michael Duarte's wife speaks out after his death
Jessica Duarte, the wife of food influencer Michael Duarte, is speaking out and remembering her late husband, who died over the weekend.
"I feel so touched and proud to know so many people that he has inspired over his time here on earth," Jessica Duarte said in a statement shared on Instagram. "I plan to keep his legacy going not only for him but his family. 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."
Jessica Duarte also shared gratitude for "the outpouring" of love she and her family had received since news of her husband's unexpected death.
"Thank you to everyone who has reached out. The outpouring love has really given me strength. I can feel him moving mountains ❤️," she wrote. "A big thank you to my tribe & Mike's BBQ community for making me feel like I have an army behind me."
Michael Duarte's death was first announced Sunday in an Instagram post by his talent management agency, Alooma, which remembered him as a "valued client and dear friend."
"He was a true & 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 agency wrote in a statement memorializing the creator.
ABC News has reached out to Alooma for more information.
A joint Instagram post shared Tuesday on Duarte's page and the account for Bear Mountain BBQ, a brand for which Duarte was an ambassador, described Duarte as having "a rare gift for capturing the true spirit of BBQ: the smoke, the stories, the laughter, and the love for good food that brings people together."
"But beyond the work, Michael was so much more. A proud dad who lit up every time he spoke about his daughter. A devoted husband whose love for his family was the center of everything he did. A good man with a generous heart, whose warmth and kindness touched everyone he met," the message read.
"There's no replacing someone like Michael," it continued. "His loss leaves a space that can never be filled, but his spirit, his energy, his passion and his creativity will always be part of us."
The message was signed by the "Bear Mountain BBQ Family."
Duarte leaves behind his wife Jessica Duarte and a daughter. A GoFundMe page was set up for the family in the wake of Duarte's death.
Duarte's Instagram page includes a host of high-quality videos featuring innovative recipes for barbecue staples, among other things. Duarte's account, @foodwithbearhands, has accumulated over 844,000 followers to date.
A recent post on his Instagram page recounted his life story, sharing his rise through the food industry in California, with stops as a dishwasher and general manager at a Ruth's Chris Steak House, before finding success with food content online.
