NBC LA personality Michael J. Duarte drew criticism for what social media users labeled “mocking the dead.”

TV reporter criticized over ‘tasteless’ response to death of food influencer with same name

NBC LA personality Michael J. Duarte drew criticism for what social media users labeled "mocking the dead."

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November 12, 2025 11:37 a.m. ET

Reporter Michael Duarte in 2010 ; Food influencer Michael Duarte. Credit:

Todd Oren/WireImage; Michael Duarte/Instagram

- NBC LA reporter Michael J. Duarte shared a single-emoji response to a food influencer's death.

- Social media star Michael Duarte shared a name with the sports journalist.

- Some users called the journalist's reply "tasteless," while others joked he was "the first person to read his own condolences."

An NBC television reporter in Los Angeles has drawn criticism over his viral reaction to the death of a food influencer who shared his first and last name.

After courting Monday more than 153,000 likes for his single-emoji response to the death of Michael Duarte, known online as FoodWithBearHands, NBC Los Angeles sports journalist Michael J. Duarte quote-posted TMZ's obituary for the social media star while adding the emoji commonly used to express "mind blown."

Some users responded positively to Duarte's message, with one joking that he's "the first person to read his own condolences" online, while another quipped, "Are you not aware of your passing?"

Food influencer Michael Duarte.

Michael Duarte/Instagram

Still, others criticized the sports personality for his reaction to the food influencers' death.

"Wow you can’t even let him rest in peace smh," one reply read. Another added, "Stop mocking the dead.. We know you all have the same name."

Other replies included one that said, "jokin abt another man who shares your name dyin," and a further response calling Duarte's post a "tasteless joke" while advising, "this is someone's passing, a bit of decency would be welcomed."

** has reached out to NBC LA for comment.

Earlier this week, it was reported that the food influencer died following a "horrible incident" on Saturday, per a GoFundMe page supporting his family.

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"Michael's death occurred just 3 short days after he and his wife celebrated their 9 year wedding anniversary," the page notes, referencing the food personality's spouse, Jessica, with whom he shared a six-year-old daughter, Oakley.

In a tribute on both the FoodWithBareHands and Bear Mountain BBQ product accounts on Instagram, the latter brand honored Duarte's impact on the food scene.

"From the very beginning, Michael was part of the Bear Mountain BBQ story — not just behind the camera, but in the heart of our community," the message reads. "He had 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."

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The post continued, "There’s no replacing someone like Michael. 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."**

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