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The investigation into the death of American lifestyle influencer Ashly Robinson, known online as Ashlee Jenae, has entered a critical phase as Zanzibar authorities have officially withheld the passport of her fiancé, Joseph Isaac McCann. On April 17, 2026, the Zanzibar Police Force confirmed that while McCann has not been arrested or charged, he is being required to remain in the country pending the results of a formal autopsy and forensic analysis.
The 45-year-old McCann, a prominent figure in the cryptocurrency sector as the founder of the hedge fund Asymmetric, was first questioned by investigators on Monday, April 13. The questioning focused on the final hours leading up to the discovery of Robinson’s body at the luxury Zuri Zanzibar resort. Police reports indicate that the couple, who arrived on the island on April 4 to celebrate Robinson’s 31st birthday and recent engagement, had been involved in “frequent” and “heated” arguments during their stay.
According to witness statements from hotel staff, the friction reached a climax on the night of April 8. Resort management reportedly intervened and separated the couple,
moving McCann to a different villa approximately 10 minutes away from the room they originally shared. A few hours later, a hotel worker discovered Robinson unresponsive in a closet with a belt around her neck. She was rushed to a local hospital but was pronounced dead the following day, April 9.
While Zanzibar police initially suggested the death was a suicide following a “misunderstanding,” the influencer’s family has publicly challenged this narrative. Speaking to major news outlets this week, Robinson’s parents, Harry Robinson and Yolanda Endres, expressed deep concern over the 11-hour delay between the time of the incident and when McCann first contacted them. They further alleged that communication from McCann ceased entirely after that initial call, leaving them to receive the news of her death from the hotel staff.
“Nothing about it makes sense. It just doesn’t add up,” Harry Robinson told reporters, noting that his daughter appeared “joyful” and “happy” in the days leading up to her passing. The family has requested that authorities review surveillance footage from the resort to verify the movements of both Robinson and McCann during the night in question.
As of today, the U.S. State Department confirmed it is monitoring the case and providing consular assistance to the family. While McCann continues to cooperate with local officials as a witness, the seizure of his passport ensures he will remain under the jurisdiction of Tanzanian authorities until the suspicious nature of Robinson’s passing is fully clarified.
