A Reporter's Emoji Stirred Up a Storm

A local TV sports reporter found himself in hot water after posting a single emoji in response to the passing of a food influencer who shared his name.

Michael J. Duarte, a journalist for NBC LA, shared a post from TMZ about the death of Michael Duarte, known online as FoodWithBearHands, and added a mind-blown emoji.

Public Reaction

• Some people online found it amusing, joking that Duarte was the first to read his own condolences.
• Others, however, thought it was in poor taste, arguing that the reporter should have shown more respect for the deceased and his family.

The Food Influencer's Legacy

The food influencer's sudden death was a shock to many. A GoFundMe page set up for his family revealed that he passed away just three days after celebrating his ninth wedding anniversary. He leaves behind his wife, Jessica, and their six-year-old daughter, Oakley.

The food influencer was a well-known figure in the culinary world. Bear Mountain BBQ, a brand he worked with, paid tribute to him on Instagram. They highlighted his passion for BBQ and his ability to bring people together through food.

The Bigger Picture

This incident raises questions about how we express ourselves online, especially when it comes to sensitive topics like death. It's important to remember that our words and actions can have a big impact on others, even if we don't intend them to.