Barack Obama’s personal chef has been found dead after going missing while paddle boarding in Martha’s Vineyard.
The missing paddle boarder has been identified as Tafari Campbell, a former sous chef at the White House.
The 45-year-old’s body was recovered around 10am near the ex-President’s sprawling $12 million (USD $11.75m) property.
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Campbell disappeared over the weekend while he was out with another paddle boarder on Edgartown Great Pond, Massachusetts.
After Campbell was reported missing, emergency crews were dispatched to Obama's residence.
Police found him ‘approximately 100 feet from shore at a depth of about eight feet by Massachusetts Environmental Police Officers deploying ‘side-scan sonar from a boat’.
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“The investigation into the fatality is being conducted by the State Police Detective Unit for the Cape and Islands District and Edgartown Police,” officials said in a statement.
Shortly after his death was confirmed, the Obamas shared a heartfelt message, revealing that Campbell ‘was a part of the 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,” the statement read.
“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.
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“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.”
According to ABC News, Campbell was visiting Martha’s Vineyard at the time of the incident; however, the Obamas were not home when it happened.
The Massachusetts State Police Detective Unit is investigating the accident for the Cape and Islands District and Edgartown Police.
The sous chef served as a personal chef to the former President and was just one of four chefs asked to stay on following the George W. Bush administration.
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During Obama’s reign, Campbell became best known for brewing White House honey ale beer by using the honey from Michelle's South Lawn garden.
Campbell often visited Martha's Vineyard and frequently played golf nearby Farm Neck Golf Club.
Topics: News, Barack Obama