Joe McCann, the founder of Asymmetric, a crypto investment firm, is at the center of a probe by Tanzanian authorities following the alleged suicide of his fiancée, Ashly Robinson, a US lifestyle influencer, during a vacation in Zanzibar. Robinson, 31, was found unresponsive in a private villa at the luxury resort Zuri Zanzibar, where the couple was celebrating her birthday and recent engagement. She was later pronounced dead at a hospital. According to Zanzibar police, Robinson's death was confirmed as a suicide after a 'misunderstanding' between the couple.
However, the police have stated that they are still investigating her death and have withheld McCann's passport. The couple had been involved in a heated argument before being separated by hotel staff, who sent them to separate rooms.
Despite this, the police have asked McCann to remain in the country while they await the forensic results from Robinson's autopsy. The hotel has expressed its condolences and is cooperating with the local authorities and the US Embassy.
Robinson's family has set up a GoFundMe page to raise funds for travel costs and other expenses, expressing doubts about the official cause of her death. 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 including Andreessen Horowitz co-founders Marc Andreessen and Chris Dixon. In December, McCann announced the shutdown of Asymmetric's Liquid Alpha Fund following claims of significant financial losses.
The US State Department has offered its condolences to the Robinson family but has declined to comment further on the investigation.