An inquiry is ongoing in Tanzania concerning the death of Ashly Robinson, a U.S. social media influencer, who was found unresponsive in a luxury resort villa in Zanzibar. Her fiancé, Joe McCann, founder of the cryptocurrency investment firm Asymmetric, is being investigated by local authorities.
Robinson, 31, was discovered on April 9 in a private villa at the Zuri Zanzibar resort, where the couple was celebrating her birthday and their recent engagement. She was later pronounced dead at a hospital. According to Zanzibar police, Robinson's death was confirmed as a suicide following a dispute between the couple, but the investigation is still ongoing. Hotel staff reported that the couple had been involved in a heated argument and were separated twice before being sent to separate rooms.
McCann has been questioned by police and has been asked to remain in the country pending the outcome of Robinson's autopsy. The hotel has expressed its condolences to Robinson's family and is cooperating fully with the local authorities and the U.S. Embassy.
Robinson's family has expressed doubts about the official cause of death and has set up a fundraising page to cover travel and other expenses. McCann, who has an estimated net worth of $45 million, is a prominent figure in the cryptocurrency industry, having led Asymmetric, a hedge fund and venture firm backed by notable investors. However, he recently announced the shutdown of Asymmetric's Liquid Alpha Fund due to significant financial losses. The Tanzanian police have released a video statement regarding the incident, but further details are scarce, with the U.S.
State Department offering only condolences to the family and referring questions to local authorities.