A tragic incident unfolded off the coast of Edgardtown, Martha’s Vineyard, when a 43-year-old man, Tafari Campbell, was found deceased on Sunday. Campbell, known for his tenure as a White House chef, notably continued to serve as a personal staff member for the Obama family following their departure from office in 2017.
The discovery was made near the Obama family’s residence in Edgartown Great Pond. Despite Campbell’s previous social media post declaring his inability to swim, other images on his account depicted him engaging in the activity.
Authorities revealed that Campbell was visiting Martha’s Vineyard during the unfortunate event, with the former First Family away from the residence at the time. The Obama family expressed sadness over the loss and paid tribute to their friend and employee in a statement, acknowledging Campbell’s culinary skills, creativity, and warm personality.
Emergency services launched an extensive operation after receiving reports of a distressed paddleboarder without a life-preserver. Despite their efforts, Campbell could not be saved. His body was discovered approximately 100 feet from the shore in eight feet deep water. The operation involved multiple agencies, including the local police, fire departments, State Police, and the Coast Guard.
