Authorities in Tanzania have officially concluded their investigation into the death of social media influencer Ashlee Jenae, ruling that the 31-year-old died by suicide following a domestic dispute with her fiancé.
Ashlee, whose real name was Ashly Robinson, was found unconscious in her villa at a luxury resort in April while on what was meant to be a celebratory birthday trip with her fiancé, Joe McCann. According to the Tanzania Police Force, a hotel employee entered the villa during a routine evening check after repeated attempts to contact her went unanswered.
Investigators reported that Ashlee was discovered hanging inside a wardrobe, having used a robe belt provided by the hotel. Official findings listed the cause of death as cerebral hypoxia resulting from strangulation and suffocation.
The investigation found that the incident occurred shortly after a disagreement between Ashlee and McCann. Hotel staff reportedly intervened during a domestic dispute on April 8 and placed the couple in separate rooms. Authorities said McCann later told investigators that he found Ashlee the following day and sought help immediately. She was transported to a hospital but passed away on April 9.
The tragedy came only days after what appeared to be a joyful milestone in the couple’s relationship. On April 3, Ashlee had shared videos on social media showing McCann proposing during a safari in Tanzania.
Following her death, Ashlee’s family publicly questioned the circumstances surrounding the incident, expressing disbelief that she would take her own life. In heartfelt statements, they described her as a vibrant and uplifting presence who showed no signs of self-harm. Family members also criticized McCann, alleging that he waited several hours before informing them of the emergency and initially minimized the seriousness of the situation.
During the investigation, McCann was questioned by local authorities and his passport was temporarily held, though he was never arrested or charged with any offense.
The aftermath of Ashlee’s death further strained relations between McCann and her family. He was not invited to attend her funeral, and relatives later claimed that some of Ashlee’s personal belongings, including her engagement ring, had not yet been returned after her body was repatriated.
McCann later addressed the loss publicly, describing Ashlee as his “best friend, confidante, and fiancée.” In an emotional social media post, he said there were no words capable of expressing the depth of his grief following her death.
With the investigation now closed, Tanzanian authorities consider the case resolved, though the loss continues to leave a profound impact on those who knew and loved Ashlee.
