The cause of death for social media influencer Ashlee Jenae has officially been revealed nearly two months after her tragic passing while vacationing in Tanzania with her fiancé, Joe McCann.
According to Tanzanian authorities, an investigation conducted by the Zanzibar Police Force and Criminal Investigation Department concluded that Ashlee Jenae, whose legal name was Ashly Robinson, died by suicide as a result of mental distress. The 31-year-old content creator was pronounced dead at a local hospital on April 9 after being found unresponsive during a trip to Zanzibar.
The ruling comes after weeks of speculation surrounding the influencer’s death, which garnered widespread attention online. Jenae, who had more than 88,000 Instagram followers, was known for sharing lifestyle, travel, and relationship content with her audience. Just days before her death, she had celebrated her birthday and accepted a marriage proposal from McCann during a safari vacation.
Funeral Held in New Jersey
On May 5, family and friends gathered in Paulsboro, New Jersey, to lay Jenae to rest. However, her funeral was overshadowed by ongoing questions about the circumstances surrounding her death and tensions between her family and fiancé. Reports indicate that McCann was not invited to attend the service and had reportedly been cut off from communication with her family following her passing.
Fiancé Breaks His Silence
In the weeks following the funeral, McCann publicly addressed the tragedy for the first time, describing Jenae as his “best friend, confidante and fiancé.” He expressed deep sorrow over her loss and said there were “no adequate words” to describe the devastation he felt.
McCann remembered Jenae as a loving and nurturing person who dreamed of becoming a mother and building a family. He also shared that she had formed a close bond with his children and brought joy to those around her. Despite being excluded from her funeral, he said he remained heartbroken for her parents and loved ones.
Family Remains Skeptical
Although authorities have officially ruled Jenae’s death a suicide, her family has continued to question the findings. Her parents have repeatedly stated that they do not believe she would have taken her own life and have called for additional investigation into the events leading up to her death.
Before her death, reports indicated that Jenae and McCann had been involved in an argument during their stay in Zanzibar, and hotel staff reportedly placed them in separate rooms. McCann was questioned by local authorities as a witness and had his travel documents temporarily withheld during the investigation. He was never charged with a crime.
As loved ones continue to mourn Ashlee Jenae’s loss, the case remains a source of grief and unanswered questions for many who followed her life and career online. Her family has vowed to continue seeking clarity while honoring her memory.
