He is confirmed dead! Martha's body was found in the pond near Obama's mansion | Time | Pond
According to CNN and The New York Post on July 24th, on Monday local time, Massachusetts police confirmed that former White House chef Tafari Campbell, who worked for the Obama family, drowned in a pond on the south bank of Martha's Vineyard Island.
Campbell is 45 years old this year. During Obama's tenure in the White House, he was the deputy head chef. After Obama's 8-year term ended, he continued to serve him and became the personal chef of the Obama couple.
On Sunday local time, Campbell disappeared after playing paddleboarding at the Edgadon Pond on Martha's Vineyard Island. On the 24th, the police retrieved Campbell's body from the pond.
Martha's Vineyard Island in Massachusetts is a famous wealthy island in the United States, where Obama owns a mansion worth $12 million. This is a seven bedroom apartment with an area of 6892 square feet, right next to the large pond in Edgar Town. The mansion also has a private beach with views of the Atlantic Ocean. At the time of the incident, the Obamas were not at home.
After Campbell's death, the Obamas issued a statement introducing that Campbell was one of the top chefs in the White House, married and having children, with a pair of 19-year-old twins.
"When we first met him, he was a talented assistant chef at the White House, full of creativity and passion for food. In the following years, we realized he was a passionate, interesting, and very kind person who made our lives brighter." The Obama couple stated in a statement, "That's why when we were about to leave the White House, we asked Tafari to stay with us, and he generously agreed. Since then, he has become a part of our lives, and his passing has broken our hearts."
According to reports, during Obama's presidency, Campbell was famous for brewing White House honey ale using honey from First Lady Michelle Obama's South Lawn Garden.
The Massachusetts police said they are investigating Campbell's death.