(RepublicanNews.org) – Another White House chef has drowned. 45-year-old Obama administration sous chef Tafari Campbell is reported to have been paddle boarding in Martha’s Vineyard when another boarder saw him struggle and go underwater. After Campbell failed to resurface, a call was made to 911 and the chef became the subject of a search that included boat crews, flight crews, and divers.
Campbell is reported to have disappeared below the water at Edgartown Great Pond on July 23rd. Massachusetts State Police announced on July 24th that his body was found about 100 feet from shore and eight feet beneath the surface.
After his tenure at the Obama White House, Campbell was invited to work in a private capacity for the family. His death took place near an Obama-owned home, though the family is reported to have not been present at the time. Police said Campbell was visiting Martha’s Vineyard while they were away.
In a statement, the Obamas referred to the chef as a “beloved” employee of the family and said that their “hearts are broken.” Campbell was originally from Virginia and is survived by a spouse and twin boys.
In 2015, a chef that had previously served both the Clinton and Bush White Houses disappeared while hiking in New Mexico. Chef Walter Scheib was missing for several days before authorities found his body thanks to cell phone data and rescue dogs.
The state medical examiner determined that Scheib had “likely died from drowning,” as the area the chef went missing in is said to be prone to flash flooding and rock slides. Thunderstorms were reported at the time of his disappearance.
Chef Scheib was initially hired by First Lady Hillary Clinton in 1994. He spent a total of 11 years working as the White House’s top chef and also authored a cooking memoir based on his time serving the first families. He was additionally featured on the show “Iron Chef America.”
Copyright 2023, RepublicanNews.org
