Death of Obama chef Tafari Campbell ruled accidental after paddleboarding mishap

Campbell began as a sous chef at the White House, and remained with the Obamas, who were out of town when he visited the Martha's Vineyard estate, after Barack left office in 2017.

As the Washington Post reports, the news was announced by Timothy McGuirk, a spokesperson for Massachusetts' Executive Office of Public Safety and Security. He explained that the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner had ruled Campbell's death accidental, but that in accordance with state policy, autopsy results could not be released.

Campbell had been out paddleboarding on the evening of July 23 when he lost his balance and fell into the water. A witness reported that he had struggled to stay afloat, and eventually went under.

A multi-agency search was initiated, with divers, boats, and a ground team working into the night to find him. Campbell's body was recovered from 8 feet of water in the pond by Massachusetts Environmental Police the following day. Campbell had not been wearing a life jacket at the time, nor was he secured to his paddleboard.

The Dumfries, Virginia native had previously posted on Instagram about not being able to swim, but appeared to be learning.

In one video, he showed off his progress, swimming a length of the pool while wearing flippers.

Campbell's death shocked his family, and the Obamas, who wrote in a statement that he had become a "beloved part of our family."

"When we first met him," they said, "he was a talented sous chef at the White House — creative and passionate about food, and its ability to bring people together. 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. That's why, when we were getting ready to leave the White House, we asked Tafari to stay with us, and he generously agreed."

"He's been part of our lives ever since," the Obamas continued, "and our hearts are broken that he's gone. 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."