The Zanzibar Director of Criminal Investigations has provided a detailed timeline of the death of American influencer Ashly Robinson. Ashly died after what officers described as a suicide attempt at a hotel in Nungwi, in the north of Unguja. The following is a timeline of events leading up to her death based on information collected by Tanzanian police:
April 4, 2026 — Check-In
Ashly Robinson and her fiancé, Joseph McCann check into Zuri Hotel, Villa No. 25, for tourism. Planned departure: April 10, 2026.
April 8, 2026 — ~6:00 PM : Romantic Dispute
An argument of a romantic nature erupts between Ashly and Joseph inside their villa. A neighbor in Villa No. 24 overhears the conflict and reports it to hotel management, adding that the couple had been arguing repeatedly since their arrival
April 8, 2026 — Evening: Management Intervenes
Hotel management visits Villa No. 25, confirms a domestic conflict, and decides to relocate Joseph to Villa No. 65 — approximately an 8–10 minute walk away, to restore peace and avoid disturbing other guests
April 8, 2026 — ~7:30 PM , Attendant’s First Visit
A hotel attendant doing evening rounds visits Villa No. 25. Ashly acknowledges needing service but asks him to return in 10 minutes, and borrows his phone charger. The attendant provides the charger and continues to Villas 24 and 26.
READ: Zanzibar Police Rule Influencer Ashlee Jenae’s Death a Suicide, Family Demands Answers
April 8, 2026 — No Response at Door
Approximately 20 minutes later [as per authorities briefing], the attendant returns to Villa No. 25. He knocks , no answer, no lights inside. Using his emergency duty key, he enters the darkened room and hears a thud from the direction of the wardrobe.
April 8, 2026 — Discovery
The attendant finds Ashly hanging from the internal wardrobe hanger rod using a grey clothing belt/ bathrobe belt. She is still alive but struggling. He immediately rushed to raise the alarm.
April 8, 2026 — ~8:55 PM , Emergency Response
Hotel management arrives, takes Ashly down, administers first aid, and rushes her to the nearest hospital for urgent care.
April 8–9, 2026 — Transfer to Ampola Hospital
After initial emergency treatment, Ashly is transferred to Ampola Hospital in Mjini Magharibi region for further medical care.
April 9, 2026 — ~3:00 PM — Death
Ashly Jenae Robinson passes away while still under treatment at the hospital.
Other key details:
🔴A postmortem examination is underway at Lumumba Government Hospital by doctors and forensic specialists. Joseph McCann is in police custody and is being actively interrogated as part of the investigation.
🔴The family is participating in the postmortem process of the deceased through a specialized coroner institution, which is representing the family. The U.S. Embassy in Dar es Salaam has provided the necessary verification of the coroner institution to the Tanzanian authorities.
🔴Police have confirmed that if any criminal act is established, charges will follow.
