Obama’s Personal Chef Dies In Martha’s Vineyard Pond, Police Say

Forbes Business Breaking Obama’s Personal Chef Dies In Martha’s Vineyard Pond, Police Say Antonio Pequeño IV Forbes Staff I cover breaking news. Following Jul 24, 2023, 07:33pm EDT | Press play to listen to this article! Got it! Updated Jul 24, 2023, 07:35pm EDT Share to Facebook Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin Topline Massachusetts State Police divers recovered the submerged body of former President Barack Obama’s family chef Monday, less than 24 hours after the 45-year-old went paddleboarding on a Martha’s Vineyard pond Sunday evening. Key Facts Tafari Campbell was identified by Massachusetts State Police on Monday following an hours-long joint search by local, state and national authorities that concluded Campbell was visiting Martha’s Vineyard at the time of his passing.

The body was discovered in Edgartown Great Pond by Massachusetts Environmental Police officers using side-scan sonar from a boat, which led to a recovery being made approximately 100 feet from shore at a depth of about eight feet, according to the state police . The former president and his wife, Michelle Obama, were not present at their Martha’s Vineyard home at the time of the accident, Massachusetts State Police said. Campbell, who first met the Obamas as a sous chef at the White House, is survived by his wife and their twin boys, according to a statement from the Obamas reported by multiple outlets .

Campbell continued to be employed by the Obamas following their departure from the White House. (AP . .

. [+] Photo/Ron Edmonds, file) Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

What To Watch For The investigation into Campbell’s death is being handled by the State Police Detective Unit for the Cape and Islands District, as well as the Edgartown Police. Crucial Quote “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 former president and former first lady said in a 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.

” Key Background The search for the Campbell started Sunday after a fellow paddleboarder reported to authorities that Campbell had struggled on the surface, submerged and failed to resurface. After hours of searching Sunday night, the operation to find Campbell was paused so emergency crews could re-equip and assess their next steps. Massachusetts State Police and U.

S. Coast Guard helicopters were used in the search in addition to boats. The Obamas spend time at their $11.

75 million Martha’s Vineyard property every year. The 30-acre property, which overlooks Great Pond, was reportedly purchased in 2019 from Boston Celtics owner Wyc Grousbeck. Further Reading Missing paddle boarder found dead ( MV Times ) Police Recover Body of Missing Paddleboarder in Edgartown Great Pond ( Vineyard Gazette ) Follow me on Twitter or LinkedIn .

Send me a secure tip . Antonio Pequeño IV Editorial Standards Print Reprints & Permissions.