Obama Family’s Personal Chef Found Dead After Paddleboarding Near Martha’s Vineyard

According to several reports, one of the chefs who previously worked for President Barack Obama has been found dead.

Divers from the Massachusetts State Police discovered the body of a 45-year-old man, identified as Tafari Campbell from Dumfries, VA, in the Edgartown Great Pond, as stated in a news release on July 24. Campbell had been paddleboarding close to the Obama family’s Martha’s Vineyard residence before he went missing. Authorities confirmed that both the former President, Barack Obama, and former First Lady, Michelle Obama, were not present at the property during the incident.

According to the police, a witness claimed to have seen the chef, who was not only a husband but also a father of twins, having difficulties staying on the small watercraft. The witness stated that the chef eventually went underwater, leading to the assumption that he drowned. Presently, the incident is under investigation by the State Police Detective Unit for the Cape and Islands District and Edgartown Police.

The chef, who was skilled in culinary arts, had the opportunity to meet the Obamas during his time as a White House chef while they were in office. After serving as their chef during their presidency, the family was impressed with his work and extended an invitation for him to remain employed with them. From 2017 until his unfortunate passing, he continued to work for the Obamas, forming a lasting professional relationship with the family.

In a joint statement, the Obamas expressed their grief over Campbell’s passing, referring to the chef as a cherished and integral member of their family.

According to CNN, the Obamas’ statement described their initial encounter with Campbell when he served as a skilled sous chef at the White House. They admired his creativity and passion for food, recognizing how it could unite people. As time passed, they came to know him as a warm, joyful, and exceptionally kind individual who brought happiness into their lives.

In their heartfelt statement, the Obamas revealed that as they prepared to depart from the White House, they approached Tafari and asked him to remain with them—an invitation he graciously accepted. Since then, he became an inseparable part of their lives, and the news of his passing has deeply saddened them. The Obamas expressed their solidarity with all those who had the privilege of knowing and cherishing Tafari, particularly his wife Sherise and their twin sons, Xavier and Savin. They mourned the loss of a truly exceptional and remarkable man.

As reported by the Vineyard Gazette, the search for Campbell commenced on the evening of July 23.

Utilizing side-scan sonar from a boat, officers from the Massachusetts Environmental Police located Campbell’s body approximately 100 feet away from the shore, submerged under approximately eight feet of water.