Ashlee Jenae (Ashly Robinson)

Apr 12

Written By M T

31 years old · Miami, Florida · April 2026

Who she was

Ashly Robinson, known publicly as Ashlee Jenae, was a 31-year-old lifestyle influencer and content creator from New Jersey. She had built an audience of over 100,000 across her platforms around what she called "soft life" living — aspiring to joy, ease, and intentionality. She was described by friends and family as warm, vibrant, and full of life. "She's always smiling. She loved being in front of the camera," her father Harry Robinson said. "Nothing about it makes sense. It just doesn't add up."

What happened

Ashlee traveled to Zanzibar, Tanzania with her fiancé Joe McCann to celebrate her 31st birthday. On April 5, McCann proposed during a safari portion of the trip. She posted photos on Instagram — beaming, newly engaged, celebrating. On April 8, she called her mother to say she and McCann had argued and that the resort had moved them to separate rooms. The following day, hotel staff found her unconscious in her villa at the Zuri Zanzibar luxury resort. McCann contacted the family to notify them — disclosing that the incident had occurred 11 hours prior. Ashlee was rushed to a nearby hospital, where she died on April 9.

Official ruling

Tanzanian authorities attributed the death to suicide. A local Tanzanian outlet obtained records listing the immediate cause of death as cerebral hypoxia due to strangulation and suffocation, though those findings have not been independently verified. Official autopsy results have not been publicly released. Tanzanian police stated the death was "attributed to a misunderstanding" between Ashlee and McCann, and confirmed that hotel staff had separated the couple — placing McCann in another room "for their safety" — in the period before her death.

Contested record

Ashlee's family publicly disputes the suicide ruling. Her mother stated: "My daughter Ashly, she's no longer here with us, and we're trying to find out why." Her father said the situation was filled with "uncertainty, mystery, anger, and sadness." Her parents told CBS News she appeared happy in the days leading up to her death: "They were in a gorgeous place in Africa and happy."

Joe McCann, 45, was questioned by Tanzanian police and his passport was held pending autopsy results. He has since broken his silence, calling her death an "incomprehensible tragedy," but has not addressed the specific circumstances publicly. Tanzanian authorities previously stated he was not suspected of wrongdoing.

The family contacted police, the U.S. consulate, and the embassy seeking information. Her father traveled to Washington D.C. to press U.S. government officials for assistance in reaching Tanzanian authorities. The family has conducted an independent autopsy; results are still pending. Ashlee's engagement ring and personal belongings have not been returned to the family.

The investigation remains under Tanzanian jurisdiction. No American legal process is currently active.

A note on jurisdiction

This case occurred under Tanzanian jurisdiction. No American legal process is currently active. The family has publicly disputed the ruling and sought independent answers. A Living Record will track any developments in that pursuit.

Legal process

April 5, 2026 — Joe McCann proposes to Ashlee during a safari in Zanzibar.

April 8, 2026 — Ashlee calls her mother to report she and McCann have argued. Resort moves them to separate rooms.

April 9, 2026 — Hotel staff find Ashlee unconscious in her villa at the Zuri Zanzibar resort. McCann notifies family, disclosing the incident occurred 11 hours prior. Ashlee is pronounced dead at a nearby hospital.

April 13, 2026 — Tanzanian authorities rule death a suicide. McCann questioned by police; passport seized pending autopsy results.

April 14, 2026 — Tanzanian autopsy completed. Results not shared with family.

Mid-April, 2026 — Harry Robinson travels to Washington D.C. to press U.S. government for assistance reaching Tanzanian authorities. Contact is made; family informed autopsy is complete but results remain withheld.

April 29, 2026 — Ashlee's body returned to family in New Jersey. Engagement ring and personal belongings remain unaccounted for, believed held by investigators. Family completes independent autopsy; results pending.

As of May 31, 2026 — Official Tanzanian autopsy results not publicly released. Independent family autopsy results pending. No charges filed. Investigation status unclear. McCann has broken public silence but addressed no specifics.