The devastated family of social media influencer Ashly Robinson has voiced deep concerns about the circumstances surrounding her tragic death during a safari vacation in Tanzania. Robinson, aged 31 and known online as Ashlee Jenae, was on a trip with her fiancé Joe McCann when she was discovered unconscious in their villa in Zanzibar. She was rushed to a local hospital, where she was pronounced dead hours later, according to a statement released by her family on Instagram on April 12.
Police Statement and Family Doubts
Local authorities in Tanzania have stated that they believe Robinson died by suicide following a misunderstanding between her and McCann, which led to the couple being separated into different hotel rooms. However, Robinson's family has labeled her death as suspicious, highlighting inconsistencies in the official narrative. In their Instagram statement, they emphasized that the events leading up to her passing raise unanswered questions.
Fiancé's Silence Raises Alarm
Since Robinson's death, her fiancé Joe McCann has ceased all communication with her relatives, a move that has intensified their suspicions. Family members told TMZ that they have not heard from McCann at all, describing his silence as highly unusual. One relative remarked, "We just think that it's very odd that our daughter was traveling with Joe, and we don't hear anything from Joe. To me, that's very odd." Another added that there has been "no communication" since the incident, fueling fears of potential foul play.
Details of the Tragic Vacation
Robinson, a content creator based in Oregon with over 124,000 Instagram followers, was celebrating her 31st birthday on the safari trip with McCann, her boyfriend of one year. Photos and videos shared on her account depicted joyful moments, including McCann proposing to her while they walked with a lion. Her mother, Yolanda Denise Endres, told Action News that Robinson had been excited about starting a new chapter in her life, even FaceTiming her family to share details of her vacation.
Final Days and Disturbing Reports
On April 8, Robinson called her mother to report that she and McCann were arguing and had moved into separate rooms. The following day, Endres received a call from McCann, who informed her that Robinson had harmed herself and was being taken to the hospital, claiming she was stable. Endres noted that McCann mentioned the incident had occurred 11 hours prior, which she found concerning. Hours later, the hotel notified the family of Robinson's death.
A hospital report indicated that Robinson had a mark around her neck at the time of her death, with claims that McCann found her hanging herself on a door. She was later transferred to a second hospital, which listed her cause of death as cerebral hypoxia due to strangulation and suffocation. Endres expressed disbelief, stating, "She's never done anything that would ever ever lead me to believe that she would do something to harm herself like that. She was happy."
Ongoing Investigation and Family's Quest for Answers
The family has been in contact with Tanzanian authorities but has received limited information beyond confirmation that the death remains under investigation. Police in Zanzibar told local outlet Mwanachi that they are not planning to detain or pursue legal action against McCann, and he has not been accused of any wrongdoing by officials. Despite this, Robinson's family is considering traveling to Zanzibar to seek further answers, determined not to let her death be forgotten. Endres affirmed, "She was loved. She was not just going to be discarded and forgotten about."
If you are based in the USA and need mental health assistance, call or text 988 or visit 988lifeline.org for confidential support. In other countries, visit www.befrienders.org to find a helpline. In the UK, contact the Samaritans at 116 123 or jo@samaritans.org.
