Joe McCann, the founder of Asymmetric, a crypto investment firm, is being investigated by Tanzanian authorities following the death of his fiancée, US influencer Ashly Robinson, during a trip to Zanzibar to celebrate her birthday and recent engagement. Robinson, a 31-year-old lifestyle creator, 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. However, the police are still investigating and have withheld McCann's passport. The couple had been involved in a heated argument, and hotel staff had separated them twice, sending them to separate rooms.
McCann has been questioned by the police and has been asked to remain in the country until the forensic results from Robinson's autopsy are received. 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, arrangements, and other expenses, expressing doubts about the official cause of death.
McCann, with an estimated net worth of $45 million, is a prominent figure in institutional crypto, having led Asymmetric, a hedge fund and venture firm backed by investors including Andreessen Horowitz co-founders Marc Andreessen and Chris Dixon. The incident has raised questions, particularly given McCann's recent decision to shut down Asymmetric's Liquid Alpha Fund due to significant financial losses in 2025.