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Tafari Campbell, age 45, of Dumfries, Virginia, was found some 100 feet from shore in water about 8 feet deep on Monday, July 24, after he went missing paddleboarding a day earlier, Massachusetts State Police said.
Campbell was paddleboarding Sunday in Edgartown’s Great Pond near Turkeyland Cove when he fell into the water around 7:45 a.m., Massachusetts State Police said.
Witnesses told troopers that he "appeared to briefly struggle to stay on the surface, and then submerged," authorities said. He was not wearing a life jacket.
The Obamas, who have a large compound on Martha's Vineyard, were not home over the weekend. Campbell was visiting the island when he died.
The former first family released a statement saying their hearts were broken over Campbell's death.
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. That’s why, when we were getting ready to leave the White House, we asked Tafari to stay with us, and he generously agreed. He’s been part of our lives ever since, and our hearts are broken that he’s gone. Today we join everyone who knew and loved Tafari – especially his wife Sherise and their twin boys, Xavier and Savin – in grieving the loss of a truly wonderful man.”
The Obamas, who have a large compound on Martha's Vineyard, were not at the home over the weekend. Campbell was visiting the island when he died.
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