On Monday, news broke of a drowning off the coast of Martha’s Vineyard in Massachusetts. Initial reports indicated the victim, a 43-year-old man, had been paddle boarding when he went under near the estate of former President Barack Obama Sunday evening.
Roughly five miles from Martha Vineyard’s Chappaquiddick, a joint-agency search team found the body of a 43-year-old black male shortly before 10 a.m. Monday after a search of Edgartown Great Pond triggered by a 7:46 p.m. Sunday call from 79 Turkeyland Cove Road—the estate of President Barack Obama.
EPD is assisting multiple agencies searching for a missing adult male paddle boarder in Edgartown Great Pond. Please remain away from this area and allow emergency responders to perform their search.
— Edgartown Police (@edgartownpolice) July 24, 2023
The victim has now been identified as Obama’s personal chef, 45-year-old Tafari Campbell.
Campbell, 45, of Dumfries, Virginia, was recovered Monday morning a day after disappearing in the waters of Edgartown Great Pond on Martha’s Vineyard.
Massachusetts State Police said Campbell was employed by the former president and was visiting Martha’s Vineyard at the time of his passing. Barack and Michelle Obama were not present at the home at the time of the accident, MSP said.
— Mass State Police (@MassStatePolice) July 24, 2023
In response to the news, the Obamas issued the following statement:
Tafari was a beloved part of our family. When we first met him, he was a talented sous chef at the White House – creative and passionate about food, and its ability to bring people together. In the years that followed, we got to know him as a warm, fun, extraordinarily kind person who made all of our lives a little brighter.
That’s why, when we were getting ready to leave the White House, we asked Tafari to stay with us, and he generously agreed. He’s been part of our lives ever since, and our hearts are broken that he’s gone. Today we join everyone who knew and loved Tafari – especially his wife Sherise and their twin boys, Xavier and Savin – in grieving the loss of a truly wonderful man.
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