The drowning death of former President Barack Obama’s personal chef at his $14 million mansion in Martha’s Vineyard this week has some mysterious unanswered questions, critics say.
Tafari Campbell, 45, was employed by the Obamas and was visiting Martha’s Vineyard.
According to the police, Campbell was paddleboarding with a companion when he fell in the water, struggled, and went under. No foul play is suspected.
The Obamas were on the island but not at the home at the time of the accident, but there are questions about whether their daughters were present when Campbell was last seen.
“We saw their youngest daughter on a private beach near the home on Saturday, she was with friends and who we assumed were Secret Service. You can only access that area by a boat,” a neighbor told The Daily Mail.
“We assumed that Michelle and Barack were also around because she was there, we didn’t see them but secret service and their daughters being around usually means that they are here on a family vacation.”
Police left the call log that reported Campbell’s death blank — a somewhat unusual move. It was a very calm day on the water, and there is still no report on who made the 911 call calling for help after he went under while paddleboarding.
The Obama’s released a statement honoring Campbell when the news broke
When we first met him, he was a talented sous chef at the White House – creative and passionate about food, and its ability to bring people together,” the couple said. “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, and our hearts are broken that he’s gone.
The Horn editorial team