The former White House sous chef for Barack and Michelle has been identified as the man found dead following a paddle boarding accident near the Obama home in Martha’s Vineyard.
Tafari Campbell, 43, was found dead on Monday by divers after going missing in the pond that backs on to Barack Obama‘s sprawling $12million estate.
The 43-year-old vanished on Sunday evening while he was out with another paddleboarder on Edgartown Great Pond, Massachusetts, and emergency crews were dispatched to Obama’s residence.
In a statement, Michelle and Barack Obama said Campbell – who was married with twins was one of the top chefs in the White House kitchen: ‘Tafari was 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. 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.’
Witnesses told cops the man went underwater and then briefly reappeared as he struggled to stay afloat, before submerging again around 7.46pm.
A massive joint-agency search resumed Monday morning for the African American male who was last seen wearing all black without a lifejacket, MV Times reported.
His paddle board and hat were recovered Sunday – and his body was found in the eight-foot-deep waters approximately 100 feet away from shore at 10am Monday.
The dispatch address for the incident came from Obama’s Martha’s waterfront Vineyard home. It is unclear if the former president, 61, is currently staying at the estate.
Search vehicles are seen on Turkeyland Cove Road on Sunday night. A joint-agency search started last night at Edgartown Great Pond, and has continued this morning
Emergency services rushed to the scene in Martha’s Vineyard last night. It’s understood that the 911 call and dispatch address for the incident came from Obama’s Martha’s Vineyard home. It’s unclear if he is currently staying at the estate
Pictured: Edgartown Great Pond. A desperate search has been launched after a paddleboarder went missing in the water off Martha’s Vineyard on Sunday
The rescue mission is just yards away from former President Obama’s Massachusetts seven bedroom home – a 6,892-square-foot mansion right near the water (pictured)
Massachusetts State Police said: ‘Shortly before 10 AM the body of the missing paddle boarder was recovered from Edgartown Great Pond by Massachusetts State Police divers.
‘MSP Underwater Recovery Unit divers made the recovery after the victim’s body was located by a Massachusetts Environmental Police Officers deploying side-scan sonar from a boat.
‘As previously noted, the victim is a 43-year-old male. His name is not being released at this time; we expect to release his name later today.
‘The recovery was made approximately 100 feet from shore at a depth of about eight feet.
‘The investigation into the fatality is being conducted by the State Police Detective Unit for the Cape and Islands District and Edgartown Police.’
The US Coast Guard, Edgartown Fire, Air Wing, detectives, and Dukes County Sheriff’s Department were all part of the rescue mission.
They were using divers and boats with side-scan sonar in a bid to find the paddleboarder. Detectives were on the scene – as well as USCG helicopter crews.
Environmental police located the body using sonar from a boat, according to state police.
A command post was set up at Wilson’s Landing, which is across the narrow Cove from Obama’s mansion.
Just after midday, Edgartown Police Department just confirmed that Wilson’s Landing had been reopened. Edgartown Great Pond is an 890 acre body of water.
The investigation into the man’s death is being conducted by state police with the Cape and Islands District Attorney’s Office and Edgartown police.
A dispatch call from Sunday night said: ‘Edgartown Fire and Water rescue personnel, Turkeyland Cove Road. For a 40-year-old male, possible drowning.’
A view of Obama’s house from Turkeyland Cove
The search for the missing paddleboarder is happening near Barack Obama’s estate. The former president bought the mansion, pictured here, in 2019
A helicopter, part of the search mission, is seen flying over the area on Monday morning
Edgartown Police said in a statement at 10pm last night: ‘EPD is assisting multiple agencies searching for a missing adult male paddle boarder in Edgartown Great Pond.
‘Please remain away from this area and allow emergency responders to perform their search.’
The rescue mission is just yards away from former President Obama’s Massachusetts seven bedroom home – a 6,892-square-foot mansion right near the water.
He bought the Martha’s Vineyard home in 2019 for $11.75million.
Previously, the huge estate was owned by Boston Celtics owner Wycliffe Grousbeck.
Outdoors, the land comes with its own private beach and a boathouse
Their home is on the edge of Edgartown Great Pond, with views of the Atlantic Ocean
The former first family are no strangers to the island – having spent seven summers there while Barack was President
The enormous property has a swimming pool, outdoor fire pit and vaulted ceilings.
The are also two wings which run from the main house which is perfect to host guests.
Outdoors, the land comes with its own private beach and a boathouse.
Their home is on the edge of Edgartown Great Pond, with views of the Atlantic Ocean.
The former first family are no strangers to the island – having spent seven summers there while Barack was President.
Obama is also a keen paddleboarder – and has been pictured engaging in the sport over the years on vacations in Hawaii.
The Obama Foundation has been contacted by DailyMail.com for comment.
The Secret Service did not comment.
