Fiancé of New Jersey Influencer Who Died in Zanzibar Speaks After Passport Seizure

The fiancé of New Jersey social media influencer Ashly Robinson has issued his first public statement after authorities seized his passport during an investigation into her death in Zanzibar last month. Robinson, also known as Ashlee Jenae, died on April 10 at age 31 while on a trip to celebrate her birthday days after becoming engaged to Joe McCann.

Local authorities ruled her death a suicide after she attempted to hang herself from a door in her hotel room on April 9 and was taken to a hospital. McCann posted a lengthy statement to social media on the same day Robinson's family laid her to rest in New Jersey.

Sources told TMZ that McCann was not invited to the funeral. "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," McCann said. He added that he was heartbroken for Robinson's parents, Yolanda Endres and Harry Robinson.

McCann described Robinson as a woman who embodied compassion, empathy, kindness, generosity and love, and remembered her creativity as an influencer and her love of music and hosting gatherings. >"Ashly was an angel who shined her light on everyone fortunate enough to be in her presence.

There is no way to fill the unfillable void left by Ashly's passing and no way to make sense of this unfathomable loss," McCann said. Sources told the BBC that McCann was being interviewed as a witness and is not accused of any wrongdoing. Robinson's remains were returned to her family last month.

Her personal belongings, including her engagement ring, have not been returned as the investigation continues, her father Harry Robinson told TMZ. Robinson's family previously disputed the suicide ruling. In an interview with TMZ, her parents described her as a "beacon of light" and a "happy, go-lucky girl" who would not take her own life.

The family said McCann waited 11 hours after Robinson was transported to the hospital before contacting them, and only reached out again to inform them that she had died. " "The sadness, the unanswered questions, and the distance from home have made this tragedy even more overwhelming for our family," Robinson's parents said in a statement shared to social media.

They added that an active investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death was continuing. Robinson had 145,000 followers on Instagram and regularly posted lifestyle content. The status of McCann's passport and whether he has returned to the United States remains unclear.

Fox News Digital reached out to McCann's attorney, local police and the U.S. Department of State for comment.