In a tragic incident, Tafari Campbell, the personal chef of former President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama, drowned while paddleboarding in Martha’s Vineyard, Politico reports.

Beloved Part of the Family: The Obamas, who were not present at the time of the accident, expressed their grief in a statement, calling Campbell a “beloved part of our family.”

They remembered him as a “talented sous chef at the White House” who continued working for the Obama’s even after the former president’s term in the White House.

They further added, “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.”

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Tragic Incident: The search for Campbell began after a fellow paddleboarder reported that he had struggled on the surface, went under, and didn’t resurface. His body was located about 100 feet from shore at a depth of about 8 feet the next day. Campbell is survived by his wife and their twin boys.

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