Obama’s chef ID’d as paddleboarder who drowned near former president’s Martha's Vineyard estate

Former President Barack Obama's personal chef, Tafari Campbell, has been identified as the paddle boarder who drowned near the Obamas' Martha's Vineyard estate.

Massachusetts State Police said Campbell was employed by the former president and was visiting Martha’s Vineyard at the time of his passing. Barack and Michelle Obama were not present at the home at the time of the accident, MSP said.  Bradford Betz is a Fox News Digital breaking reporter covering crime, political issues, and much more. 

"Tafari was a beloved part of our family. 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. 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," the Obamas said in a joint statement.