A former White House executive chef, who went missing last week, has been found dead on Sunday, June 21, after a five-day extensive search and rescue mission. 

Walter Scheib, who worked under Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush during their terms, went hiking near Taos in New Mexico on Saturday, June 13, and was unheard of since. A family member reported him missing to the Taos Police Department after two days of absence, according to the New Mexico Department of Public Safety.

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Scheib's vehicle was discovered on Tuesday, June 16, at a parking lot near the Yerba Canyon Trail in the northern part of Taos. Phone records reportedly showed that the parking lot is the last updated location on the day he went hiking. The last update was made at 3pm on Saturday. 

A search and rescue mission began on Wednesday, June 17. The local state police, New Mexico Search and Rescue Mission (SAR), NM National Guard, as well as the Civil Air Patrol conducted a wide ground and aerial search for five days.

Difficult terrains and harsh weather conditions affected the search. Scheib's body was found on Sunday evening off the immediate trail approximately 1.7 miles from the base trail. The cause of his death is still unknown and rescuers are still gathering more information. 

Scheib was the head chef of the White House under President Bill Clinton and George W. Bush. He owned the position for eleven years, from 1994 to 2005. Then first lady Hillary Clinton hired Scheib personally, having impressed her with a "comprehensive" menu and his love for American cuisine. 

The Clintons expressed their sadness in a statement on their official website, saying that they are saddened by the tragic passing of the talented chef. 

"Our family is grateful to have Walter with us in the White House for six years, where we and visitors from around the world loved his delicious and creative meals. Walter used his immense talents not only to represent the very best of American cuisine to visiting leaders, but to make a difference in people's lives across the country through his support of numerous charities," the statement said. 

Scheib has served prominent world leaders such as Nelson Mandela, the current Japanese Emperor Akihito, former United Kingdom Prime Minister Tony Blair, the late Lady Diana Spencer, former Russian President Boris Yeltsin, then Mexico President Vicente Fox, and former French President Jacques Chirac, to name a few. 

The late chef also penned the book named "White House Chef: Eleven Years, Two Presidents, One Kitchen," which was published in January 2007. 

TagsWalter Scheib, White House Executive Chef, White House Chef Dead, White House chef found dead in New Mexico