Wire Report
MIAMI, Florida — The family of a Black influencer found dead while on a luxury trip in Tanzania is questioning reports of her alleged suicide, pointing out inconsistencies in her white fiancé’s story and conflicting accounts surrounding her death..
Ashlee Jenae, 31, was visiting the African nation to celebrate her birthday and recent engagement to Joe McCann — founder of Asymmetric Financial — when she was found unconscious in her villa and rushed to a nearby hospital, where she was pronounced dead, according to media reports.
Authorities in Tanzania have described her death on or around April 12 as suicide by hanging, according to the Black news website EURWeb. McCann also publicly supported that account, based on posts circulating on social media, the site reported.
After news of her death broke, friends and family challenged the suicide narrative, EURWeb reported. Some say Jenae was found hanging from a tree rather than inside the resort, as initially reported. Others claim McCann waited up to two days before notifying authorities and her family.
Online platforms such as Instagram and Reddit also have seen growing discussion and speculation, with some users questioning whether the scene was properly investigated.
Tanzanian authorities are still investigating. Reports differ on McCann’s status, while official autopsy and toxicology results have not been released.
The sudden death of Jenae, born Ashly Robinson, has left her family, followers, and a growing online community searching for answers. Family members described the trip as a “dream” that quickly turned into a nightmare — and they are demanding answers and a full and transparent investigation.
“Nothing about this loss feels real. One moment she was celebrating love and life, in truly Ashly fashion, and the next, she was gone,” the family said in an online statement.
“At this time, there is an active investigation into the circumstances surrounding Ashly’s suspicious passing. Although we have many questions, we are placing our trust in the officials in Zanzibar and are working closely with them as we seek clarity and answers.”
Janae, known for her aspirational soft life content, had built a loyal online following by documenting luxury travel, moments with McCann and lush living. In the days since her passing, tributes have poured in across social media, painting a picture of a woman described as vibrant, ambitious, and deeply loved.
McCann proposed on April 3, just days before Robinson’s death. The influencer’s last post was on April 5, and she shared images of herself feeding a giraffe, captioning the moment, “Chapter 31 and I’m exactly where I need to be.”
