Tanzanian authorities are probing the death of Ashly Robinson, a 31-year-old US lifestyle influencer, who was found unresponsive in a luxury resort in Zanzibar, where she was celebrating her birthday and recent engagement with her fiancé, Joe McCann, founder of the crypto investment firm Asymmetric. The couple had allegedly been involved in a heated argument, according to hotel staff, and were separated twice before Robinson's body was discovered.
Despite the police confirming that Robinson's death was a result of suicide, they are still investigating the circumstances surrounding her death. As a result, McCann's passport has been withheld, and he has been asked to remain in the country pending the outcome of the forensic examination of Robinson's autopsy.
The hotel where the incident occurred expressed its condolences to Robinson's family and loved ones, stating that it is cooperating fully with the local authorities and the US Embassy. Robinson's family has set up a fundraising page to cover travel costs, arrangements, and other unexpected 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 institutional crypto space, 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 incident has sparked widespread attention, with the US State Department offering its condolences to Robinson's family while declining to comment further on the investigation.