The individual who tragically drowned near the Martha’s Vineyard estate of former President Barack Obama has been identified as Tafari Campbell, the Obamas’ personal chef.
Tafari Campbell, 45 years old and from Dumfries, Virginia, was found on Monday morning after disappearing in the waters of Edgartown Great Pond on Martha’s Vineyard.
He was an employee of the former president and was visiting Martha’s Vineyard at the time of the accident. Notably, Barack and Michelle Obama were not present at the property when the incident occurred, according to the Massachusetts State Police.
In a joint statement, the Obamas expressed their heartfelt grief over the loss of their beloved family member and employee, Tafari Campbell. They fondly remembered him as a talented sous chef at the White House, emphasizing his creativity and passion for food and its power to bring people together. Over the years, they had grown to know him as a warm, fun, and exceptionally kind person, making their lives brighter. When they were leaving the White House, they asked Tafari to stay with them, and he generously agreed, becoming an integral part of their lives ever since. They extended their sympathies to his wife Sherise and their twin boys, Xavier and Savin, and all those who knew and loved Tafari.
“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,” the Obamas said in a joint statement. “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.”
Campbell’s body was located by Massachusetts Environmental Police officers using side-scan sonar from a boat, about 100 feet from the shore of Edgartown Great Pond, at a depth of approximately eight feet. Massachusetts State Police divers then recovered the body around 10 a.m. on Monday. The authorities had initially responded to a call at 7:46 p.m. on Sunday regarding a male paddleboarder who was struggling to stay afloat near Turkeyland Cove but unfortunately did not resurface.
This tragic incident serves as a reminder of the unpredictability and risks that water-related activities can entail, and our thoughts go out to Tafari Campbell’s family and loved ones during this difficult time.
