A paddleboarder who was found dead near former President Barack Obama’s Martha’s Vineyard estate was identified by authorities as Tafari Campbell, the ex-president’s personal chef.
Massachusetts State Police divers recovered the body of Mr. Campbell, 45, in a pond near Mr. Obama’s $12 million estate on Martha’s Vineyard.
The divers found the body around 10 a.m. Monday, according to authorities. Mr. Campbell went missing Saturday while paddleboarding in the Edgartown Great Pond, which abuts Mr. Obama’s home on Turkeyland Cove.
Massachusetts State Police said that Mr. Campbell, of Dumfries, Virginia, was visiting the Obamas’ estate at the time. The Obamas were not present during the incident.
In a joint statement, the Obamas said that Mr. Campbell was a talented sous chef when they first met him at the White House, and was an “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.”
Massachusetts State Police used sonar scanning equipment mounted on a boat to find the body. Divers found Mr. Campbell about 100 feet from the shore of the pond in eight-foot-deep water.
Police responded to a report at 7:46 p.m. on Sunday that a paddleboarder had gone into the water. The man appeared to briefly struggle to stay on the surface and then submerged.
Police were dispatched to the former president’s waterfront estate. The Daily Mail reported that the 911 call came from Mr. Obama’s residence.
Police said that another paddleboarder was on the Edgartown Great Pond and saw Mr. Campbell go under the water. He was last seen wearing all black with no life jacket.
His hat and paddleboard were found Sunday night. Police late Sunday paused the multiagency search, which included area law enforcement and the U.S. Coast Guard. The search then resumed Monday morning.
• Alex Miller can be reached at amiller@washingtontimes.com.
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