The body of a missing man was recovered from a pond in Martha’s Vineyard on Monday morning, and the Massachusetts State Police (MSP) have confirmed that the victim is 45-year-old Tafari Campbell, a former employee of President Barack Obama. Divers from the MSP Underwater Recovery Unit found the body at Edgartown Great Pond.
Tafari Campbell was a talented sous chef at the White House, known for his creativity and passion for food’s ability to bring people together. After leaving the White House, the Obamas asked him to continue working with them, and he kindly agreed, becoming a beloved part of their family. They described him as warm, fun, and extraordinarily kind, making their lives brighter.
Campbell was visiting Martha’s Vineyard at the time of his death, and the Obamas were not at the home when the incident occurred. The exact circumstances surrounding his death have not been disclosed.
The underwater recovery unit retrieved Campbell’s body about 100 feet from the shore and 8 feet underwater. The search had been suspended temporarily to allow authorities to re-equip and assess the situation after they initially couldn’t find the man.
The Massachusetts State Police Detective Unit is currently investigating the incident to determine the cause of Campbell’s death. As the news spreads, many are grieving the loss of this wonderful man, especially his wife Sherise and their twin boys, Xavier and Savin.
