Food influencer Michael Duarte has died, according to his management agency and an announcement on his Instagram page.
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 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.
