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NBC Reporter's Viral Reaction to Namesake's Death Draws Criticism
12 Nov
Summary
- NBC reporter's single-emoji response to food influencer's death goes viral
- Some users call the reaction "tasteless," while others joke he's "the first to read his own condolences"
- Food influencer Michael Duarte died following a "horrible incident" on Saturday
On November 12, 2025, an NBC Los Angeles sports journalist named Michael J. Duarte found himself at the center of a controversy after his viral reaction to the death of a food influencer who shared his first and last name.
Earlier this week, it was reported that the food influencer, known online as FoodWithBearHands, had passed away following a "horrible incident" on the previous Saturday. The news of his death prompted Duarte, the NBC reporter, to post a single-emoji response that has since garnered more than 153,000 likes.
While some users responded positively to Duarte's message, joking that he was "the first person to read his own condolences," others criticized the sports personality for his reaction. Several comments described the post as a "tasteless joke" and advised that "a bit of decency would be welcomed" when addressing someone's passing.
The food influencer, Michael Duarte, was remembered by the Bear Mountain BBQ brand as someone who had been "part of the story" from the very beginning, with a "rare gift for capturing the true spirit of BBQ." His death, which occurred just three days after he and his wife celebrated their 9th wedding anniversary, has left a void in the food community that, according to the brand, "can never be filled."
