Police have given an update on the death of Tafari Campbell, the personal chef of former President Barack and Michelle Obama.
Tafari, 45, was recovered Monday from Edgartown Great Pond after 911 calls when he went missing while paddleboarding.
Barack and Michelle Obama’s personal chef has drowned while paddle boarding off the coast of Martha’s Vineyard, police confirmed Monday. The former president and first lady were not present at the time of the drowning, according to authorities. https://t.co/MgINfQR7a1
— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) July 25, 2023
"Police said that Campbell was paddleboarding near the Obamas’ home in Martha’s Vineyard and was not wearing a life jacket. They added that no foul play is suspected in the incident," the Conservative Brief reported.
"According to a paddleboarder who was with Campbell, he was seen standing on his paddleboard when he lost his balance and fell into the water. The paddleboarder recalled that Campbell struggled to stay afloat but eventually submerged," it added.
Obamas' chef who drowned while paddleboarding wasn’t wearing life vest, no foul play suspected, police say https://t.co/iKqnWWVQF4
— Fox News (@FoxNews) July 26, 2023
"A paddleboarder who was with Campbell told investigators they’d seen him standing on his paddleboard and lose his balance before falling into the water. The paddleboarder said Campbell struggled to stay afloat before submerging. Investigators were told Campbell was not wearing a personal flotation device," Fox News reported.
"The fellow paddleboarder told investigators they tried to swim to Campbell’s location but couldn’t reach him in time. The paddleboarder swam to shore and asked someone to call 911. The Dukes County Regional Emergency Communications Center initiated an immediate emergency search and rescue response by multiple public safety agencies," it added.
Tafari Campbell Latest: Police say nothing suspicious with chef’s drowning as Obama daughters leave island. https://t.co/Ux2eSI4ynG#MarthasVineyard #TafariCampbell #BarackObama #MichelleObama #WhiteHouse #chef #ObamasChefDrowns #Tafari #ObamaKnew #Sasha #Malia #Obamas
— Sewuese Bem (@SewuBem) July 26, 2023
“Tafari was a beloved part of our family,” said the Obama family on Monday evening. “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," he continued.
The sad situation reportedly came when Obama's two daughters were with them at their home. They reportedly left shortly after the report of the accident.
Tafari leaves behind a wife, Sherise, who shared that, "My heart is broken," following the tragic loss of her husband.
The difficult situation leaves behind many questions with many impacted over the death of the former president's longtime chef.
