Joe McCann, the founder of Asymmetric, a cryptocurrency investment firm, is being investigated by authorities in Tanzania following the alleged suicide of his fiancée, US influencer Ashly Robinson, during a vacation in Zanzibar. Robinson, a 31-year-old lifestyle creator, was found unresponsive in a private villa at the luxury Zuri Zanzibar resort, where the couple was celebrating her birthday and recent engagement. She was later pronounced dead at a hospital.
According to reports, Zanzibar police confirmed that Robinson's death was a result of suicide, following a 'misunderstanding' between the couple. However, the police have not ruled out other possibilities and are still investigating the circumstances surrounding her death. The couple had been involved in a heated argument, which prompted hotel staff to intervene and separate them twice, assigning them to separate rooms. Despite this, the police have stated that McCann's passport has been withheld, pending the outcome of the investigation and the release of Robinson's autopsy results.
McCann has been questioned by the authorities and has been asked to remain in the country until the investigation is complete. The hotel has expressed its condolences to Robinson's family and has offered its full cooperation to the local authorities and the US Embassy.
Robinson's family has expressed doubts about the official cause of death and has set up a GoFundMe page to help cover travel costs, arrangements, and other expenses. The page has exceeded its target of $50,000.
McCann, who has an estimated net worth of $45 million, is a prominent figure in the crypto industry, having led Asymmetric, a hedge fund and venture firm backed by investors such as Andreessen Horowitz co-founders Marc Andreessen and Chris Dixon. In December, McCann announced that he would be shutting down Asymmetric's Liquid Alpha Fund, following reports of significant financial losses throughout 2025. The couple had traveled to Zanzibar on April 4, according to a statement from the Tanzanian police. The US State Department has offered its condolences to Robinson's family but has declined to comment further on the investigation, citing privacy concerns.