Joe McCann, the founder of Asymmetric, a cryptocurrency investment firm, is being investigated by Tanzanian authorities following the alleged suicide of his fiancée, US lifestyle influencer Ashly Robinson, during a birthday and engagement celebration trip to Zanzibar. Robinson, 31, was found unresponsive in a private villa at the luxury Zuri Zanzibar resort on April 9 and was later pronounced dead at a hospital. According to Zanzibar police, Robinson's death was confirmed as a suicide resulting from a 'misunderstanding' between the couple, who had been separated twice by hotel staff due to a heated dispute.
However, the police are still investigating and have withheld McCann's passport, pending the outcome of Robinson's autopsy. The couple had been arguing, and hotel staff intervened to separate them, sending them to different rooms. Despite the initial confirmation of suicide, Robinson's family has expressed doubts about the cause of death and has set up a GoFundMe page to cover travel costs, arrangements, and other expenses, exceeding their target of $50,000. McCann, with 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.
However, he recently announced the shutdown of Asymmetric's Liquid Alpha Fund following reports of significant financial losses throughout 2025. The US State Department has offered condolences to Robinson's family but has declined to comment further on the investigation, referring inquiries to local authorities.