"Tragic Paddleboarding Accident Claims Life of Obama's Chef near Ex-President's Edgartown Vacation Home"

Former President Obama mourns death of personal chef in drowning accident.

Former President Barack Obama and his family are grieving the loss of their personal chef, Tafari Campbell, who tragically drowned while paddleboarding on Edgartown Great Pond on Martha's Vineyard. The body of Campbell, a 45-year-old resident of Dumfries, Virginia, was recovered by Massachusetts Environmental Police officers using side-scan sonar from a boat. He was found in eight feet of water, approximately 100 feet from shore.

It has been reported by Massachusetts State Police officials that Campbell was not wearing a lifejacket at the time of the incident. He was visiting Martha's Vineyard, where the Obamas have a vacation home, but the family was not present on the island at the time.

Campbell served as the Obama family's personal chef, and they released a statement expressing their grief and referring to him as a "beloved part of our family." The former president and his wife described Campbell as an extraordinarily kind person and a talented sous chef at the White House. They revealed that they had asked him to stay with them after leaving the White House, and he had generously agreed. Campbell is survived by his wife and their twin sons.

Emergency responders were alerted to the possible drowning after a paddleboarder reported that Campbell had not resurfaced. The call came in from Wilson's Landing, a public launch point across the cove from the Obama residence. The search efforts were based at Wilson's Landing, and the body was eventually found in close proximity to the area.

The Obama vacation home, which was purchased for $12 million in 2019, is located on Turkeyland Cove Road, just a few hundred yards from Wilson's Landing. The property is registered under a trust with James F. Reynolds listed as the trustee.

The investigation into Campbell's death is being conducted by the Cape and Islands District Attorney's Office, Edgartown police, and the Dukes County Sheriff's Office. Massachusetts State Police are also involved in the investigation.

The tragic loss of Tafari Campbell has deeply affected the Obama family, who have expressed their heartfelt sorrow over his passing. As the investigation continues, the community mourns the loss of a talented chef and a beloved member of the Obama family.

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