The body of the missing paddle boater who “disappeared” in a pond in Martha’s Vineyard on Sunday, was identified as Barack Obama’s personal chef Massachusetts state police said.
According to reports, the body of 45-year-old Tafari Campbell, was recovered by authorities from the Edgartown Great Pond on Monday, police confirmed.
Police had been scouring the water since Sunday evening after receiving a call about a male paddleboarder “who had gone into the water, appeared to briefly struggle to stay on the surface, and then submerged”. He did not resurface.
Campbell had been working for the Obama’s since the former President’s tenure at the White House and was visiting Martha’s Vineyard. The family was not present at the home at the time of the accident.
In a joint statement, the former President and his wife, Michelle Obama, regarded Campbell as 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,” the couple said in the statement. “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.”
“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.”
The search for the missing paddle boarder is reported to have started on Sunday just before 8pm following a report a man had disappeared in the water at Edgartown Great Pond.
On Monday, state police said sonar from a boat was used to locate the body which was found the following day after the search was paused late on Sunday.
Campbell’s body was said to be submerged approximately 30 meters from the shore at a depth of 8 feet. He found without a life jacket authorities added.
The Obamas said Campbell is survived by his wife and their twin boys.
“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,” the couple said.
