U.S. Citizen Dies in Zanzibar, Investigation Underway

A 31-year-old woman from New Jersey, Ashly Robinson, has died while on a trip to Zanzibar, Tanzania. Her family is seeking answers as local authorities conduct an investigation.

Key Details of the Incident

The deceased is identified as Ashly Robinson, who also used the online name Ashlee Jenae. She was traveling in Zanzibar with her fiancé, Joe McCann, who had proposed during the trip. Social media posts indicated the visit was to celebrate Robinson's birthday.

Tanzanian authorities held a news conference on Tuesday regarding the case. The investigation is ongoing, and an autopsy is being conducted. Results are pending.

Tanzanian investigators are questioning Joe McCann and have retained his passport pending the autopsy results. Authorities have stated that McCann is not currently a suspect.

Family Seeks Transparency

Robinson's parents, Harry Robinson and Yolanda Endres, have stated they have received limited official information about the circumstances of their daughter's death.

According to the family:

• They first learned Robinson was hospitalized from a call by McCann. McCann reportedly stated the incident occurred approximately 11 hours prior to his call and provided few details.
• Their next notification came from the hotel, which informed them of Robinson's death.
• They stated they have not been contacted directly by Tanzanian police or medical officials.

The family is calling for a transparent investigation. They have specifically requested a review of surveillance footage from the resort where Robinson was staying to help establish a timeline of events.

When asked by a reporter if they believe McCann was involved, Yolanda Endres responded, "We don't know what went on."

Recent Actions and Next Steps

The family visited the U.S. embassy seeking information but reported they did not receive a new update. They are also seeking to repatriate Robinson's remains to the United States.