The partner of American social media influencer Ashly Robinson, who died unexpectedly during a vacation in Zanzibar last week, is cooperating with Tanzanian authorities as a witness in the ongoing investigation.
Joe McCann, 45, has had his passport withheld by police but has not been arrested or named as a suspect. Robinson, 31, known online as Ashlee Jenae, was found unconscious in her villa at the Zuri Zanzibar resort and later pronounced dead at a hospital on April 9.
"Investigations into the case are ongoing, including awaiting the official medical examination report from doctors," Zanzibar police stated.
Police Chief Benedict Mapujira told media that hotel staff reported a guest possibly experiencing suicidal thoughts, leading to Robinson being taken to the hospital. He mentioned the couple had experienced a "misunderstanding" that prompted hotel management to separate them into different rooms prior to the incident, though the hotel has not confirmed these details.
Robinson's parents, Yolanda Endres and her husband, expressed profound confusion about their daughter's death, describing her as "a light" who had just celebrated her birthday and gotten engaged during the trip.
"She was supposed to be happy," Endres told CBS News. "And then she is just gone. We are confused about how that could change so drastically."
The family said they received limited information from McCann initially and learned of Robinson's death from hotel management. They are now working with authorities and the U.S. State Department, which confirmed an American citizen's death in Zanzibar and emphasized its commitment to citizen safety.
Zuri Zanzibar expressed deep sadness over the "tragic incident" and confirmed cooperation with investigators while citing privacy concerns. Robinson had been actively sharing her "dream holiday" experiences on Instagram just days before her death, posting content from Tanzania's Kilimanjaro region.
As the investigation continues, no arrests have been made, and authorities await conclusive medical reports to determine the circumstances surrounding the influencer's sudden passing.