The family of 31-year-old Ashly Robinson is seeking answers following the announcement by authorities in Zanzibar that the American social media influencer died by suicide at a hotel in Tanzania.
“My daughter Ashly is no longer with us, and we are trying to understand why,” stated her mother, Yolanda Denise Endres, during an interview with WPVI, an ABC affiliate in Philadelphia.
“There is uncertainty, mystery, anger, and sadness. It feels as though a part of me has been taken away,” expressed her father, Harry Robinson, in the same interview.
Robinson, known as Ashlee Jenae on social media, was a lifestyle influencer with over 100,000 followers on Instagram. She frequently shared updates about her life, travel experiences, and moments with her fiancé, Joseph McCann, who was accompanying her during their trip to Zanzibar at the time of her passing.
Her recent Instagram updates featured images of her and McCann celebrating her 31st birthday while on a safari in Tanzania. The last post, shared on April 5, showcased a montage of her feeding a giraffe, surrounded by rose petals that spelled out “HBD Ashlee,” accompanied by the caption, “Chapter 31 and I’m exactly where I need to be.”
Zanzibar’s deputy police commissioner, Zuberi Chembela, informed ABC News that McCann is currently being questioned, and the investigation into Robinson’s death is still in progress.
ABC News has attempted to contact McCann for a statement, but there has been no response. It remains unclear whether he has engaged legal representation, and no charges have been filed to date.
According to police reports, Robinson and McCann checked into the Zuri Zanzibar hotel on April 6, and she was discovered unresponsive in her hotel room during the night of April 8 to April 9.
Endres revealed that her daughter had called her on April 8 to say that she and McCann had argued, prompting hotel staff to move them into separate rooms.
Authorities noted that hotel personnel had been alerted to a domestic disturbance described as a “romantic conflict” between the couple during their stay, as reported by other guests.
On the night of April 8, staff separated the couple, relocating McCann to a different villa approximately an 8-10 minute walk from Robinson’s room. She was found unresponsive “about two or three hours” later by hotel staff.
Endres stated that McCann contacted her on April 9, informing her that her daughter had been hospitalized.
“He told me that Ashly had done something to herself and was being taken to the hospital, assuring me that she was stable,” Endres recounted.
According to police, Robinson was initially taken to a local hospital and subsequently transferred to another facility, where she was declared dead on April 9.
“She never displayed any behavior that would lead me to believe she would harm herself. She was a happy person,” Endres emphasized.
The results of the medical examination regarding Robinson’s death are still pending, and McCann’s passport has been seized as part of the ongoing investigation.
Robinson’s parents have reached out to both Tanzanian and U.S. officials in their quest for clarity regarding their daughter’s death.
“She was cherished. She deserved to be remembered and not forgotten,” Endres asserted.
In a statement to ABC News, management at the Zuri Zanzibar resort expressed their deep sorrow over the tragic event involving one of their guests and confirmed their cooperation with local authorities and the U.S. Embassy.
A spokesperson for the State Department confirmed the recent passing of an American citizen in Zanzibar, extending condolences to the family and loved ones while stating that further comments would not be provided due to privacy considerations.
If you or someone you know is in need of support, please reach out to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255, available 24/7.
This report was contributed by ABC News’ Tommy Foster and Desiree Adib.
