NJ influencer’s boyfriend speaks out after his passport was confiscated in Zanzibar
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This story is about suicide. If you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
The boyfriend of a popular social media influencer from New Jersey is breaking his silence after authorities seized his passport amid an investigation into her suicide while the pair were on vacation on the coast of Africa last month.
Ashly Robinson, also known as Ashlee Jenae, died on a trip to Zanzibar to celebrate her 31st birthday just days after getting engaged to her boyfriend, Joe McCann, according to family members.
McCann, whose passport was confiscated by Zanzibar authorities during the investigation into Robinson’s death, spoke for the first time long statement social media posts.
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Ashlee Jenae, whose real name is Ashly Robinson, died on a trip to Zanzibar to celebrate her 31st birthday after getting engaged to her boyfriend, Joe McCann, according to her family. (@ashleejenae/Instagram)
“There are not enough words to describe the hurt, emptiness, and shock I feel after losing my best friend, confidante and fiancée, Ashly Jenae Robinson,” McCann said. “As a father, I am heartbroken for Ashly’s parents, Yolanda Endres and Harry Robinson. Ashley’s death is an inexplicable tragedy.”
The grieving boyfriend continued to remember Robinson’s intelligence and influence, as well as his love of music and socializing with friends.
“Devoted fans know Ashly by her charming online persona Ashlee, but the person I loved was Ashly, a woman who exemplified the qualities of compassion, empathy, kindness, generosity, and love,” McCann continued. “An inspiring presence, Ashly cared deeply about the people close to her, which to my eternal gratitude included myself.”
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McCann ended the post with a tribute to Robinson, who signed himself “Joe.”
“Ashly was an angel who shone her light on everyone who was lucky enough to be in her presence. There is no way to fill the immense void left by Ashley’s passing and no way to make sense of this incredible loss,” said McCann. “All we can do is carry on Ashly’s legacy of helping others and strive to live up to her beauty every day.”
Ashlee Jenae was a social media influencer with 145,000 Instagram followers who shared lifestyle content before her death. (GoFundMe)
The post comes on the day Robinson’s family laid him to rest in New Jersey, with sources tell TMZ that McCann was not invited to the content creator’s funeral.
Robinson’s death was ruled a suicide after he tried to hang himself from the door of his hotel room on April 9, local authorities said. He was then rushed to a local hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries one day.
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Tanzanian police previously revealed that Robinson’s death was “due to a disagreement” between the promoter and McCann, while adding that the incident forced hotel staff to separate the newly engaged couple by putting McCann in another room “for their safety.”
Shortly after his death, local authorities said McCann “continues to be questioned by the Police Force and his passport has been suspended,” but did not elaborate on the nature of the investigation.
Sources he told the BBC that McCann was being interviewed as a witness in the case and is not accused of any wrongdoing.
Ashlee Jenae, whose real name is Ashly Robinson, and her boyfriend, Joe McCann, were enjoying a birthday trip to Zanzibar in early April when authorities say she was found in her hotel room trying to kill herself. (Stock)
Robinson’s remains were returned to her family last month, although her belongings – including her wedding ring – have not been handed over to authorities, her father, Harry Robinson, he told TMZ.
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It is said that the father said that he believes that the goods have been kept by the authorities as the investigation is still ongoing.
Shortly after Robinson’s death, his family spoke to authorities about the 31-year-old activist’s death by suicide.
In a previous interview with TMZ, Robinson’s parents, Harry and Yolanda Robinson, rejected the authorities’ decision that their daughter would take her own life, adding, “She was a ray of light. A happy, lucky girl. I’m so excited to go on this birthday trip that later turned into a proposal.”
His family also said that McCann waited 11 hours after Robinson was taken to the hospital before contacting them, only to return to inform them that he had passed.
Robinson’s parents told TMZ they haven’t heard from McCann since his death, a development they find “very strange,” FOX 29 report.
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“Sadness, unanswered questions, and the distance from home have made this tragedy even more difficult for our family,” Robinson’s parents said in an earlier statement posted on social media.
“At the moment, there is an ongoing investigation into the circumstances surrounding Ashley’s suspicious passing,” he added.
Robinson, a popular social media influencer, had 145,000 followers on Instagram and frequently posted lifestyle content.
Details about the status of McCann’s passport and whether he has returned to the United States remain unclear.
Fox News Digital reached out to McCann’s attorney, Zanzibar Police and the US State Department.
