24 July 2023 , 22:30
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The former chef for Barack and Michelle Obama has been identified as the man found dead following a paddleboarding accident.
Tafari Campbell - who was married with 19-year-old twins - was one of the top chefs in the White House kitchen.
The 43-year-old's body was recovered on Monday by divers after going missing in the pond that backs on to Barack Obama's sprawling $12million estate in Martha's Vineyard.
He 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.
His paddleboard and hat were recovered on Sunday - and his body was found in the 8ft-deep waters approximately 100 ft away from shore at 10am on Monday.
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In a statement, Michelle and Barack Obama said: "Tafari was a beloved part of our family.
Tafari pictured with wife Sherise
Former US President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama (AFP via Getty Images)"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."
The incident unfolded at approximately 7.45pm on Sunday in the area of Turkeyland Cove, in Edgartown, Massachusetts, when police and fire agencies received a distress call about a male paddleboarder in trouble.
The location is behind former US President Barack Obama and his family's waterfront house situated on nearly 30 acres on Martha's Vineyard - an affluent island located south of Cape Cod.
According to witnesses, the man appeared to struggle to remain on the surface of the water before disappearing beneath the surface, failing to resurface again.
A view of Obama's house from Turkeyland Cove where Tafari worked as the Obama's personal chef (Realtor.com)During the incident, there was another paddleboarder present on the pond with the missing man, who witnessed the unsettling event unfold before their eyes.
Authorities immediately initiated a rescue operation in their efforts to locate the missing paddleboarder.
Edgartown Fire and all other island fire departments, in collaboration with local and state police, the Dukes County Sheriff's Department, and the US Coast Guard are working together to bring the man to safety.
Edgartown Police said in a tweet: "EPD is assisting multiple agencies searching for a missing adult male paddle boarder in Edgartown Great Pond.
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Obama's chef drowns in accident near his $12m Martha's Vineyard home (Realtor.com)"Please remain away from this area and allow emergency responders to perform their search."
Authorities are treating it as a rescue operation in the hope of finding the missing man alive and well.
Massachusetts State Police said this morning: "After several hours of searching last night, efforts to locate the missing paddle boarder were unsuccessful and the operation was paused to allow dive teams, flight crews, and other responders to re-equip and assess next steps.
"Search assets are currently resuming operations at this time. The search will again include marine assets, such as divers and boat crews deploying side-scan sonar, and aerial support from MSP and USCG helicopter crews.
"Members of the MSP Underwater Recovery Unit and the Massachusetts Environmental Police are joining the agencies and units listed last night in today's search operation."
The Edgartown Great Pond, situated on the island's south shore, has become the focal point of the search as the investigation continues.
Barack Obama's family bought the Martha's Vineyard home in 2019 for $11.75million. The area is known for its picturesque beauty and recreational activities.
Officials are urging anyone with relevant information about the missing paddleboarder to come forward and assist the ongoing rescue mission.