Global Courant
Former US President Obama’s family say they are heartbroken by the death of “warm, fun, exceptionally kind” chef Tafari Campbell.
Former US President Barack Obama’s personal chef has been found dead in a lake near the Obama family’s home in the resort town of Martha’s Vineyard.
Massachusetts State Police confirmed Monday that a paddleboarder who got into trouble on the Edgartown Great Pond was the Obamas’ personal chef, Tafari Campbell.
Campbell, 45, worked at the White House before continuing to work for the Obama family after the 44th president left office in 2016.
“Tafari was a cherished part of our family,” the Obamas said in a joint statement. “He was… 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, extremely nice person who made our whole life a little bit brighter.
“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 a part of our lives ever since and our hearts are broken that he is gone.”
Tafari Campbell worked in the White House and as the Obamas’ personal chef (File: Ron Edmonds/AP)
Campbell is survived by his wife Sherise and his twin sons, the Obamas said.
Authorities began searching for a missing person on Sunday after a report that a paddleboarder had submerged and failed to resurface.
State police said they found Campbell, who was not wearing a life jacket, about 100 feet from shore and 8 feet underwater using sonar.
Campell, who lived in Dumfries, Virginia, had been visiting Martha’s Vineyard, an affluent island community off the coast of Massachusetts, but the Obamas were not present at the time of the incident, police said.
Campbell’s death is under investigation by authorities, police said.
