Joe McCann, fiancé of US influencer Ashly Jenae Robinson, has spoken publicly for the first time following her death during a vacation in Zanzibar, Tanzania.
The 31-year-old, also known online as Ashlee Jenae, reportedly died while on a birthday trip with McCann. She was said to have been found unconscious at a luxury resort villa and later pronounced dead at a hospital.
Her family confirmed her passing in a statement shared on Instagram. However, Tanzanian authorities, in a report cited by local media, alleged that she may have died by suicide and referenced a reported misunderstanding between the couple before her death.
In a statement shared on X, McCann described the loss as deeply devastating.
“There are no adequate words to describe the total devastation, emptiness, and shock I feel after losing my best friend, confidante and fiancé, Ashly Jenae Robinson,” he wrote.
“Devoted fans knew Ashly through her charismatic online persona Ashlee, but the person I loved was Ashly, a woman who embodied the virtues of compassion, empathy, kindness, generosity, and love.”
He also extended condolences to her parents, adding:
“As a father myself, I am also heartbroken for Ashly’s parents, Yolanda Endres and Harry Robinson. Ashly’s death is an incomprehensible tragedy.”
McCann described her as a deeply creative and loving person, highlighting her artistic talents and personality.
“A nurturing presence, Ashly cared deeply for the people closest to her, which to my eternal gratitude included me,” he wrote.
“She fattened me up with her amazing cooking and had a great relationship with my kids. Each day, we shared both quiet moments of reflection and the many joys of being in love with each other.”
He further noted her ambition to become a mother and her pride in her cultural roots.
“What Ashly desired most was to become a mother and to raise a family together,” he said. “Ashly was a loving soul, so much so that she called herself a ‘lover gyal’ as an homage to her Trinidadian roots.”
McCann also praised her creativity and wide interests, saying she had a passion for music, hosting, and design.
“She was a creative genius, even writing, directing, and acting in her own short film. She was an incredible decorator… Hosting was second nature to her… Ashly also had an encyclopedic knowledge of music, especially her favorite band, Aerosmith.”
