Obama’s chef drowns in accident near his $12m Martha’s Vineyard home – Obamas pay tribute to ‘beloved’ Tafari Campbell in statement
The former White House deputy chief for Barack and Michelle has been identified as the man found dead after a paddleboarding accident on Obama’s property in Martha’s Vineyard.
Tafari Campbell was found dead by divers Monday after going missing from the pond that borders Barack Obama’s sprawling $12 million estate.
The 43-year-old disappeared Sunday night while out with another paddleboarder on Edgartown Great Pond, Massachusetts, and emergency services were dispatched to Obama’s residence.
In a statement, Michelle and Barack Obama said Campbell — who was married with 19-year-old twins — was one of the top chefs in the White House kitchen: “Tafari was a cherished 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 the ability to bring people together. In the years that followed, we got to know him as a warm, fun, exceptionally nice person who made our lives a little happier.’
“That’s why, as we were getting ready to leave the White House, we asked Tafari to stay with us, and he generously agreed. He has been part of our lives ever since and our hearts are broken that he is gone.’
Tafari Campbell, 43, (pictured with his wife Sherise) was found dead by divers Monday after she went missing while paddle boarding on the pond that borders Barack Obama’s sprawling $12 million estate.
Witnesses first told police on Sunday night that a man – later identified as Campbell – went underwater and briefly resurfaced as he struggled to stay afloat, before submerging again around 7:46pm.
The witness – who was not identified – was paddle boarding on Edgartown Great Pond with Campbell.
A full-scale investigation was launched when an emergency number was called from Obama’s Martha’s Vineyard home on Turkeyland Cove Road.
The search for the respected chef last seen in black without a life jacket resumed Monday morning.
His paddleboard and hat were recovered on Sunday — and his body was found about 10 a.m. Monday in the 8-foot-deep water about 100 feet away from shore.
The shipping address for the incident came from Obama’s waterfront Martha’s Vineyard home. It is unclear whether the former president, 61, currently resides at the estate.
Campbell was last seen just before 8 p.m. paddle boarding on the water in the pond behind Barack Obama’s Martha’s Vineyard lot before falling underwater
Search vehicles can be seen on Turkeyland Cove Road Sunday night. A joint search began last night at Edgartown Great Pond
Emergency services rushed to the scene in Martha’s Vineyard last night. It is clear that the 911 call and dispatch address for the incident came from Obama’s Martha’s Vineyard home
Pictured: Edgartown Great Pond. The scene of the desperate search for Campbell was launched after a paddleboarder went missing in the water at Martha’s Vineyard on Sunday
The salvage mission was just feet from former President Obama’s seven-bedroom home in Massachusetts—a 6,892-square-foot mansion right near the water (pictured)
Massachusetts State Police said, “Shortly before 10 a.m., the body of the missing paddle-boarder was recovered from Edgartown Great Pond by Massachusetts State Police divers.
Divers from the MSP Underwater Recovery Unit recovered after the victim’s body was located by a Massachusetts environmental police officer who deployed side-scan sonar from a boat.
The US Coast Guard, Edgartown Fire, Air Wing, Detectives and Dukes County Sheriff’s Department were all part of the rescue mission.
They used divers and boats with side-scan sonar to find the paddleboarder. Detectives were on the scene – as well as USCG helicopter crews.
Environmental police located the body using sonar from a boat, state police said.
A command post was set up at Wilson’s Landing, across the narrow cove from Obama’s mansion.
Just after noon, the Edgartown Police Department just confirmed that Wilson’s Landing had reopened. Edgartown Great Pond is an 890 acre body of water.
The investigation into the man’s death is being conducted by state police in conjunction with the Cape and Islands District Attorney’s Office and the Edgartown Police Department.
A call from Sunday evening said: ‘Edgartown Fire and Water rescue personnel, Turkeyland Cove Road. For a 40-year-old man, possible drowning.”
A view of Obama’s home from Turkeyland Cove, where Campbell worked as Obama’s personal chef
The search for the missing paddleboarder takes place near Barack Obama’s estate. The former president bought the mansion, pictured here, in 2019
A helicopter, part of the search mission, flew over the area on Monday morning
Edgartown Police Department said in a statement last night at 10pm: ‘EPD is assisting multiple agencies in a search for a missing adult male paddleboarder in Edgartown Great Pond.
“Please steer clear of this area and let the emergency services carry out their search.”
The rescue mission is just feet from former President Obama’s seven-bedroom home in Massachusetts — a 6,892-square-foot mansion right off the water.
He bought the home from Martha’s Vineyard in 2019 for $11.75 million.
Previously, the massive estate was owned by Boston Celtics owner Wycliffe Grousbeck.
Outside, the land has its own private beach and boathouse
Their home sits on the edge of Edgartown Great Pond, overlooking the Atlantic Ocean
The former First Family is no stranger to the island – they spent seven summers there when Barack was president
The massive property has a swimming pool, outdoor fire pit and vaulted ceilings.
There are also two wings that run from the main house and are perfect for entertaining guests.
Outside, the land has its own private beach and boathouse.
Their home sits on the edge of Edgartown Great Pond, overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.
The former First Family is no stranger to the island – they spent seven summers there when Barack was president.
Obama is also an avid paddleboarder – and has been pictured vacationing in Hawaii over the years.
The Obama Foundation has been contacted by DailyMail.com for comment.
The Secret Service did not comment.