Tanzanian authorities have officially concluded their investigation into the death of American social media influencer Ashlee Jenae, stating that evidence points to suicide. However, the findings have sparked fresh questions as her family continues to challenge the conclusion.
Ashlee Jenae, whose real name was Ashly Robinson, was found dead on April 9 at the upscale Zuri Zanzibar resort in Tanzania. The 31-year-old New Jersey native had been vacationing with her fiancé, cryptocurrency entrepreneur Joe McCann, and had reportedly gotten engaged just days before the tragic incident.
According to Tanzanian police, investigators reviewed witness accounts and examined messages from the phones of both Robinson and McCann. Authorities said the evidence suggested the influencer had been struggling with significant emotional and psychological challenges in the period leading up to her death.
Speaking during a press briefing in Zanzibar, Deputy Director of Criminal Investigations Zuberi Chembera said investigators found messages in which Robinson repeatedly expressed concerns about her personal circumstances. He added that the investigation did not identify any suspect or evidence linking another person to her death.
Medical findings released by local authorities listed the cause of death as cerebral hypoxia caused by strangulation and suffocation.
Reports from the resort indicated that Robinson and McCann were involved in a heated disagreement shortly before the incident. The situation reportedly became serious enough for hotel staff to separate the couple by moving McCann to another room. Later, he returned with a security guard to check on her and allegedly discovered her unresponsive.
Following the tragedy, police temporarily held McCann’s passport while questioning him as part of the investigation. Authorities and international reports emphasized that he was treated as a witness and was never considered a suspect.
In an emotional tribute, McCann described his late fiancée as a kind-hearted person whose impact on others would never be forgotten. He said her loss had left an irreplaceable void in the lives of those who loved her.
Despite the police findings, Robinson’s family remains unconvinced. Her parents, Yolanda Endres and Harry Robinson, have publicly questioned the circumstances surrounding her death, describing several aspects of the case as troubling.
The influencer’s younger sister, Alyssa Endres, also expressed disbelief, saying the idea that Robinson would take her own life did not align with the personality they knew. The family acknowledged they are cooperating with authorities while seeking further answers about what happened during her final hours.
As the investigation officially closes, the disagreement between authorities and Robinson’s loved ones continues to fuel public interest in a case that has attracted international attention.
Source: Tanzania Police Force, statements from investigators, family members, and international media reports.
