Lifestyle influencer Ashlee Jenae was in the middle of what seemed like the most joyful week of her life when her trip to Tanzania took a tragic and unexpected turn. Just days after getting engaged during a safari and celebrating her 31st birthday, the influencer—whose real name was Ashly Robinson—passed away under circumstances her family now considers suspicious.
According to TMZ, Ashlee had traveled to Tanzania with her fiancé, Joe McCann, for a birthday getaway that quickly turned into a life-changing moment. On April 3, she shared a video of McCann proposing during a safari, showing him down on one knee with the African landscape as the backdrop.
The couple also stayed at the upscale Serval Wildlife Resort—where nightly rates can reach nearly $950—before moving on to a private villa at Zuri Zanzibar.
Just two days later, Ashlee shared what would turn out to be her final post on social media. The April 5 update showed her feeding a giraffe, standing next to red and white rose petals arranged to spell out “HBD Ashlee.”
In the caption, she wrote, “Chapter 31 and I’m exactly where I need to be.” Friends and fans filled the comments with birthday love, not knowing it would be her last post.
On Sunday, April 12, Ashlee’s family released a statement confirming she was later found unresponsive in her villa. “That dream turned into our family’s worst nightmare,” the statement said.
According to them, she was rushed to a nearby hospital after being found unconscious, but was pronounced dead hours later.
The family also shared that authorities in Zanzibar are currently investigating the situation and emphasized that they don’t believe all the details have been uncovered.
“At this time there is an active investigation into the circumstances surrounding Ashly’s suspicious passing,” they stated.
They added that they are working closely with officials in hopes of getting answers, while urging the public not to treat any information from outside the family as confirmed.
Ashlee’s family also addressed rumors spreading online about the circumstances of her death. In their statement, they stressed that any details not coming directly from them should be considered unverified as the investigation continues. This came after claims emerged from individuals close to the situation alleging that McCann had told others Ashlee died by suicide.
At this point, authorities in Zanzibar have not released an official cause of death, and investigators have yet to make any formal determination.
If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide or self-harm, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, or visit 988lifeline.org for support.
