EXCLUSIVE: Malia and Sasha Obama pictured leaving Martha’s Vineyard after death of private chef Tafari Campbell who was ‘beloved part of the family’
Malia and Sasha flew out of Martha’s Vineyard on Tuesday afternoon, and it’s still unclear how Tafari died or who he was paddle boarding with.
Malia and Sasha Obama were spotted flying out of Martha’s Vineyard on Tuesday following the tragic death of the family’s personal chef, Tafari Campbell.
Campbell, 45, died Sunday in an accident at Great Edgartown Pond, a large but calm body of water that sits on the Obamas’ luxury pad.
It is still unclear how exactly Tafari sank. He was an accomplished swimmer and the water where he paddle boarded was mostly calm, though neighbors said it could be treacherous.
There was another paddle boarder in the water at the time, but they have yet to be identified.
Sasha, 22, and Malia, 25, were spotted leaving Martha’s Vineyard today following the death of the family’s personal chef
The two sisters kept a low profile as they made their way through the small airport
Today, Malia and Sasha were calm and polite to airline staff as they made their way through the small island’s airport. They are yet to comment on Tafari’s tragic death.
The married father of two worked for the Obama family for 14 years, first in the White House and then privately.
In a statement, Barack and Michelle Obama said he was a ‘beloved’ member of the family.
Earlier today, his wife Cherise posted on Instagram that he would be ‘forever heartbroken’.
‘My heart is broken. My life and our family’s life changed forever.
‘Please pray for me and our family as I deal with the loss of my husband,’ she said.
The sisters are shown checking in for their flight this afternoon
The two sisters flew commercial from Martha’s Vineyard today. There was no sign of their parents
Sasha carried a large red leather tote bag and wore leather flip flops
Malia wore jeans, boots, a green hoodie and a tank top
Tarif Campbell died in an unexplained accident at the pond behind the Obama home. He went paddle boarding in calm waters last night and was seen falling off the board
In their statement yesterday, the Obamas – who were on the island at the time of the accident but not at home – said: ‘When we first met him, he was a talented White House sous chef – creative and passionate about food, and the ability to bring people together.
‘In the years that followed, we got to know her as a warm, funny, incredibly 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 graciously agreed.
‘He’s been a part of our lives ever since, and we’re heartbroken that he’s gone.’
Malia carried her own large suitcase to the airport before her flight
Photo: Edgartown Great Pond. A desperate search was launched for Campbell after the paddleboarder went missing in the waters off Martha’s Vineyard on Sunday.