Zanzibar Police Say Influencer Ashlee Jenae Died by Suicide, Questions Remain

Authorities in Zanzibar say lifestyle influencer Ashlee Jenae died by suicide following an argument with her fiancé during the couple’s trip to Tanzania, a development that has intensified public scrutiny around the case.

According to TMZ, North Unguja Regional Police Commander Benedict Mapujira said that Ashlee, whose legal name was Ashly Robinson, died after allegedly hanging herself inside her room at the Zuri Zanzibar resort on April 9.

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Per The Citizen, hotel staff had already intervened earlier in the day after Robinson and her fiancé, Joe McCann, got into a dispute severe enough that the couple was moved into separate rooms.

Mapujira said resort employees became increasingly concerned about Robinson’s condition and contacted authorities after she was believed to be at risk of harming herself.

“The fiancé, as it was reported, had disagreements, and later hotel management decided to separate their rooms, so the woman had her own room, and the man had his own room,” he said.

Police said Robinson was still alive when officers were notified and was transported to a hospital, where she died the following day.

Previously, her family said there was still no official determination and characterized the circumstances surrounding her death as suspicious. Robinson’s father, Harry, said the suicide theory was presented to the family early on, but stressed that investigators have not yet provided them with a final ruling.

Robinson had traveled to Tanzania to celebrate her 31st birthday and became engaged to McCann during the trip. On April 3, she posted video of the proposal during a safari.

Two days later, she shared what would become her final Instagram post, showing herself feeding a giraffe beside rose petals spelling out “HBD Ashlee.” She captioned the image, “Chapter 31 and I’m exactly where I need to be.”

In the days after her death, Robinson’s family urged the public not to treat unofficial reports as fact while they worked with local officials, the U.S. embassy, and a funeral director to bring her body home.

“One moment she was celebrating love and life in true Ashly fashion, and the next, she was gone,” the family said in a statement. They added that the “unanswered questions” surrounding the case have made the loss even more difficult.

Online speculation has continued to grow, with some social media users questioning the official timeline and calling for additional investigation. Authorities, however, say McCann has not been detained and that there is currently no basis for criminal charges. “We can’t take legal action or detain him under these circumstances,” Mapujira said.

Robinson’s family says they are still waiting for final answers as the investigation continues.

If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide or self-harm, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, or visit 988lifeline.org for support.