Obama’s Chef Tafari Campbell Dies While Paddleboarding At Ex-President’s Martha’s Vineyard Estate At 45

The body of a deceased man found near former President Barack Obama‘s Martha Vineyard home turned out to be the family’s personal chef.

Massachusetts State Police (MSP) released an update Monday afternoon identifying the paddleboarder as Tafari Campbell of Dumfries, Virginia. He was 45.

“Mr. Campbell was employed by former President Obama and was visiting Martha’s Vineyard at the time of his passing,” MSP wrote in the update. “[Former] President and Mrs. Obama were not present at the residence at the time of the accident.”

In a joint statement to the media, the Obamas said they were heartbroken by Tafari’s death as he “was a beloved part of [their] 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,” the statement said. “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.”

The Obamas then explained that when they were preparing to leave the White House, they asked Tafari to stay with them, to which “he generously agreed.”

“He’s been part of our lives ever since, and our hearts are broken that he’s gone,” they added. “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.”

Tafari’s wife, Sherise, posted a picture Tuesday morning of a smiling Tafari standing in the kitchen.

“My heart is broken,” she wrote in the caption. “My life and our family’s life is forever changed. Please pray for me and our families as I deal with the loss of my husband.”

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Tafari was one of the chefs to brew beer at the White House for the first time, which they then called the White House Honey Brown Ale. As it is known to have been the very first beer brewed at the White House, a whole segment about it was made for Inside the White House, in which Tafari is featured.

Before working for the Obamas, Tafari reportedly worked for former President George W. Bush.