Police in Zanzibar investigating the death of social media influencer Ashly Robinson said she killed herself following a "misunderstanding" with her fiancé while on vacation.
But her sister is questioning the circumstances around her death, saying Robinson was "happy" and looking forward to the future after recently celebrating a birthday and engagement.
"None of this makes sense," Alyssa Endres told NBC News. "That's why we're just so lost. And that's why we just want answers."
Robinson and her fiancé, Joseph McCann, traveled to Zanzibar on April 4, according to a translated video statement from Tanzanian police. They were staying at the Zuri Zanzibar hotel when staff found her in her room and rushed her to the hospital on April 8.
Robinson died the following day, police said.
Robinson, 31, who went by the name Ashlee Jenae on social media, documented part of the trip on Instagram. In an April 3 post, McCann is seen proposing to Robinson as a lion walks away during what appears to be a safari.
"Still taking this in… somewhere in Africa," Robinson captioned the video.
Other photos showed the couple posing for pictures with the animals. Her last post, on April 5, showed her feeding a giraffe while she celebrated her birthday.
"Chapter 31 and I’m exactly where i need to be," Robinson wrote.
While social media posts showed the couple seemingly enjoying their vacation, local police said they got into a dispute that led to them staying in separate rooms. It's not clear what led up to the dispute.
In a translated statement, police said that they were informed by staff at the Zuri Zanzibar hotel that Robinson and McCann "seemed to not have a good understanding" and the pair was separated. Robinson remained in their room, and McCann was moved to a different room, police said.
A room service attendant later found Robinson in the room and alerted hotel management. She was taken to the hospital, where she died.
Police called the couple's dispute a "misunderstanding" and said Robinson died by suicide.
The hotel said it was "deeply saddened" by what happened.
"Our sincerest thoughts and sympathies go out to the family and loved ones during this painful time. We are providing our full cooperation to the local authorities and the U.S. Embassy," the hotel said in a statement.
Endres said she spoke to her sister shortly before her death and "everything was completely normal." The pair discussed what they were going to do when Robinson got back to the U.S.
"She was so ready to take the next steps with who she thought was the love of her life," Endres said. "She was so happy with the choices that she had made and in the places that she was. She was happy."
Endres said the trip to Zanzibar was a planned "dream" vacation for her sister.
Robinson’s mother said the past several days have been overwhelming, and declined to speak further.
In an April 12 statement posted on Instagram, the family said "nothing about this loss feels real."
"The suddenness, the unanswered questions, and the distance from home have made this tragedy even more overwhelming for our family," the statement read.
Police said Robinson's death remains under investigation, and McCann continues to be questioned by the police. His passport has been suspended, police said.
McCann could not be reached at phone numbers listed for him. Attempts to reach his family were unsuccessful.
Endres said communication with local police has been sparse, but they will continue fighting to find out what happened.
"She wasn’t just an influencer; she wasn’t just someone online. She was a daughter, she was a sister and she was someone who is so so loved because of the life that she brought," Endres said. "She was just such a large piece in so many people’s lives and that’s what I want people to not forget."
If you or someone you know is in crisis, call 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. You can also call the network, previously known as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, at 800-273-8255, text HOME to 741741 or visit SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources for additional resources.
