Ashly Robinson’s family wants answers after the New Jersey promoter died on a trip with her boyfriend to Zanzibar
A New Jersey family is seeking answers after their daughter died suddenly while on an overseas trip with her boyfriend, saying they’ve gotten little information about what happened and want a transparent investigation.
Ashly Robinson, a promoter who went by Ashlee Jenae online, had recently visited Zanzibar with her boyfriend, Joe McCann, who proposed to Robinson during the trip. Social media posts from her Instagram account suggest the trip was meant to celebrate Robinson’s 31st birthday.
Investigators in Tanzania said on Tuesday during a press conference that they are questioning McCann and holding his passport until the results of the autopsy are completed. Earlier, authorities told local media that he was not suspected of wrongdoing.
“He’s always smiling. He loved being in front of the camera,” said his father, Harry Robinson. “Nothing makes sense. It doesn’t fit.”
In an interview with CBS News, Robinson’s parents said their daughter seemed happy in the days before her death.
“They were in a beautiful place in Africa and they were happy,” said his mother, Yolanda Endres. “All we knew was that he should have been happy. He was engaged, he celebrated his birthday after that, and then he just left.”
The family said they first heard something was wrong when McCann called to say Robinson was in the hospital, but details were limited.
“I asked him when and where it happened, and he told me that something happened 11 hours before he came to me,” said Endres.
They said the communication stopped. The next update, they say, is from the hotel, informing them that their daughter has died.
“The boyfriend didn’t touch us at all. He found us at the hotel,” said Harry Robinson. “That’s sad when your daughter leaves the world. We wanted to know where she was, who she was with, and if she was doing well. Give us something.”
The family said they have not heard anything from the police or paramedics and still don’t know where Robinson died.
They are now demanding a full investigation, including a review of the resort’s surveillance video.
“There are cameras all over the resort and that will go along with the timeline,” said Harry Robinson. “Just do some research and let us know.”
“His family right now, we are suffering,” added Endres. “So we need to know. We just need to know. And we need to get him home.”
Asked if they believed McCann had anything to do with Ashley Ronsinon’s death, Endres told CBS News, “We don’t know what happened.”
“It’s being investigated and, as we said, you know, we want transparency,” said Harry Robinson.
Robinson’s family said they went to the embassy in Washington on Monday seeking answers but received no new information. They said they hope to have an update soon to share with Robinson’s fans.
