Neck Bruise and Strangulation Listed as Cause of Death for Ashlee Jenae; Fiancé Claims He Found Her Hanging

New details from hospital medical reports have intensified scrutiny over the death of 31-year-old American influencer Ashly Robinson, known online as Ashlee Jenae, who died during a birthday and engagement trip to Zanzibar in April 2026. While Zanzibar police initially described the case as suicide, emerging medical findings list the direct cause of death as cerebral hypoxia resulting from strangulation and suffocation — a revelation that clashes with the fiancé’s account of discovering her hanging from a door.

Ashly and her 45-year-old fiancé Joe McCann were staying at the upscale Zuri Zanzibar resort. The couple had been celebrating her 31st birthday on April 5 and their recent engagement. On the night of April 8-9, following what authorities called a “misunderstanding” or argument, hotel staff reportedly separated the pair into different rooms for safety. Later that night, Ashly was found unresponsive in her villa and rushed to a local hospital. She was pronounced dead shortly after, with a second hospital later documenting the official cause.

According to medical records reviewed by the family and shared in reports, an unidentified bruise or mark was noted around Ashly’s neck. The second hospital explicitly listed her cause of death as cerebral hypoxia — a critical lack of oxygen to the brain — caused by strangulation and suffocation. This finding has fueled significant doubt about the initial suicide narrative, as self-inflicted hanging typically produces different patterns of injury, and the presence of an “unidentified mark” raises questions about external force.

In contrast, Joe McCann reportedly told authorities that he found Ashly hanging herself from a door, possibly using a piece of cloth or belt. He claimed he returned to the room with security after the earlier dispute and discovered her in that state. Police have questioned McCann as a witness, withheld his passport pending full forensic results, and stated that no arrests have been made. They continue to describe the case as a suspected suicide while awaiting complete autopsy and medical reports.

Ashly’s family has strongly disputed the suicide ruling from the beginning. Her parents described her as vibrant, excited about the future, and full of life just hours before the tragedy. They noted that McCann contacted them approximately 11 hours after Ashly was found unresponsive, downplaying the situation by saying she was “okay” and “stable.” After that single call, he reportedly went silent and stopped communicating with the family. The parents have called this delay and subsequent disappearance “very odd,” adding to their skepticism about the timeline and circumstances.

The family has demanded a full independent autopsy, access to hotel surveillance footage, and complete transparency from both Tanzanian authorities and McCann. They emphasize that Ashly had no history suggesting she would take her own life and was actively planning ahead with optimism. Online, her followers and the influencer community have flooded social media with tributes and theories, questioning the speed of the initial suicide determination and highlighting inconsistencies between the medical report and the fiancé’s statement.

This case highlights the complexities of investigating a death of a foreign national in a resort destination. Cultural and procedural differences, combined with limited immediate information for the family, have compounded their grief. Ashly’s relatives have contacted the U.S. Embassy and are pursuing legal avenues to ensure a thorough investigation. Fundraising efforts have been launched to support bringing Ashly home and covering related costs.

Ashly was remembered as a bright, authentic content creator who shared lifestyle, travel, and personal moments with positivity and warmth. Her joyful posts from the Zanzibar trip showed a woman beaming with happiness beside her fiancé, celebrating love and new beginnings. Her sudden death has left a profound void for her family, friends, and followers who saw her as an inspiring figure.

As the investigation continues, the unexplained neck bruise, the strangulation and suffocation finding, and the conflicting account from McCann remain central points of contention. Police in North Unguja maintain the probe is active, with forensic results still pending. The family’s push for clarity grows stronger with each new detail, insisting that Ashly deserved a full and honest accounting of her final hours.