Ashlee Jenae, the Miami-based lifestyle influencer known for her upbeat content celebrating the “soft life,” abundance and positivity, has died at the age of 31 while on a luxury vacation in Zanzibar, Tanzania.
Jenae, whose real name was Ashly Robinson, was traveling with her fiancé, crypto fund founder Joe McCann, to celebrate her 31st birthday on April 5. The trip appeared joyful at first: McCann proposed during a safari outing, and Robinson shared glowing photos and videos on social media, including moments feeding a giraffe with captions expressing how she felt “exactly where I need to be.”
Days later, the celebration turned tragic. According to reports, the couple was staying at the upscale Zuri Zanzibar resort when they had a “misunderstanding” or heated argument. Hotel staff intervened and separated them into different rooms for the night, an incident now part of the ongoing investigation.
On April 9, Robinson was found unconscious in her villa. She was rushed to a local hospital and pronounced dead the following day, April 10.
North Unguja Regional Police Commander Benedict Mapujira has stated that authorities have ruled the death a suicide by hanging, with no evidence of foul play at this stage. McCann reportedly told police that Robinson died using a piece of cloth from her dress in a wardrobe area. Mapujira added that McCann is not detained and is not considered a suspect, emphasizing that the fiancé has been cooperating with authorities.
Robinson’s family, however, has strongly pushed back against the suicide narrative. In a joint statement released on Instagram around April 12, her relatives — including father Harry Robinson and mother Yolanda Endres — described her as vibrant, full of life and visibly excited about the recent engagement and her future.
“Nothing about this loss feels real,” the family said. They noted learning of her death through passport emergency contacts rather than directly from McCann, and they have called for a thorough investigation with full transparency, including any autopsy and toxicology results. Close friend and PR executive Savannah Britt has also been vocal in seeking clarity.
The story has gone viral across Instagram, TikTok, X and other platforms, with hashtags such as #JusticeForAshleeJenae trending as users question the timeline, the prior argument and the contrast with Robinson’s happy recent posts. High-profile voices, including Cardi B, have amplified calls for answers. However, much of the online speculation — including unverified claims of staging or immediate arrest — has not been supported by official reports.
As of April 14, the Tanzanian police maintain their determination of suicide while describing the case as active. The U.S. embassy is reportedly assisting the family with matters including funeral arrangements. Full forensic details have not yet been publicly released, which is typical in such international cases.
This remains a developing story. Our thoughts are with Ashlee Jenae’s loved ones during this incredibly difficult time.
