The personal chef of Barack and Michelle Obama drowned while paddle-boarding off the coast of Martha’s Vineyard.
Police confirmed the incident on Monday, July 24, stating that Tafari Campbell’s body was found approximately 100 feet from the shore, just before 10 am. The 45-year-old chef, originally from Dumfries, Virginia, had served as a sous chef in the Obama White House and continued working for the family after they left office.
The tragedy occurred in Edgartown Great Pond, near the Obamas’ summer home on Martha’s Vineyard. The former president and first lady were not present during the incident, but they frequently spend time on the island during the summer.
In a statement, the Obamas expressed their grief, describing Campbell as a beloved member of their family. They remembered first meeting him as a talented sous chef at the White House, where he was passionate about the power of food to unite people. Over the years, they grew to know him as a warm, fun-loving, and exceptionally kind person who brightened the lives of everyone he encountered.
Authorities responded to an emergency call at 7:46 pm on Sunday, July 23, reporting that a man had gone paddle-boarding and failed to resurface after struggling in the water. Despite search efforts, Campbell was not located on Sunday night. Divers, using sonar equipment, managed to locate his body the following morning.
Massachusetts State Police and Edgartown police are conducting a joint investigation into the circumstances surrounding Campbell’s untimely death.
