Obama's former chef found dead in lake near ex-president's Martha's Vineyard estate

The apparent drowning occurred near the Obama family's Martha's Vineyard estate and emergency crews responded to the residence, which was listed as the dispatch address for the incident

By Ben Whedon

Published: July 24, 2023 4:23pm

Updated: July 24, 2023 9:38pm

A group of divers have recovered the body of Tafari Campbell, former President Barack Obama's personal chef, who disappeared on Sunday evening while on Edgartown Great Pond in Massachusetts.

The 45-year-old chef reportedly was last seen at 7:46 p.m. and witnesses claim to have seen him struggling to stay afloat. He was reportedly not wearing a life jacket, according to the Daily Mail. Authorities recovered the individual's paddleboard and hat on Sunday evening.

The Massachusetts State Police confirmed Campbell's identity in a Monday news release, in which they confirmed that the Obamas "were not staying at the residence at the time of the incident."

The apparent drowning occurred near the Obama family's Martha's Vineyard estate and emergency crews responded to the residence, which was listed as the dispatch address for the incident. The body was recovered roughly 100 feet from the shore.

Ben Whedon is an editor and reporter for Just the News. Follow him on Twitter.