The family of 11-year-old Adrianna Younge, whose body was found last Thursday in a pool at the Double Day Hotel in Tuschen, Guyana, is calling for an independent international investigation, following an autopsy that determined her cause of death was drowning.
At a virtual press briefing on Monday, attorney Darren Wade, who represents the Younge family, confirmed that a team of pathologists found no signs of inflicted injuries or broken bones. “Based on the findings, they determined that she died by drowning,” Wade stated. “The pathologists conducted a meticulous and comprehensive examination—going beyond the standard procedures.”
The forensic autopsy was carried out by a trio of international experts: Dr. Glenn A. Rudner from Mount Sinai Hospital in New York, government-appointed Barbadian pathologist Dr. Shubhakar Karra Paul, and Dr. Gary L. Collins, Chief Medical Examiner for the State of Delaware, selected by the family. Family physician Dr. Caleb McCloggan also witnessed the four-hour procedure.
Despite the findings, Adriana’s father, Subrian Younge, expressed frustration. “They say is drowning… and to me that is no result,” he said. The family remains unconvinced by the conclusions, especially given visible dark marks on the girl’s body, which pathologists attributed to post-mortem water damage and early decomposition.
Wade emphasized that the pathologists could not determine the specific location where Adriana drowned and noted that expected drowning indicators like the presence of cotton wool in the airways were not observed.
In the wake of the autopsy results, protests erupted nationwide, some devolving into looting, arson, and destruction of public infrastructure. In response, President Dr. Irfaan Ali urged citizens to remain within the law while expressing their grief and outrage. “If persons breach the law, there must be consequences—and there will be consequences,” Ali warned during a Monday night press conference.
The president acknowledged the right to peaceful protest but condemned what he described as politically motivated hijacking of the demonstrations. “That is unfortunate,” Ali said. “You will be prosecuted. Stop now.”
Meanwhile, the Younge family is pressing for outside intervention. “I believe it is critical… that the state acts,” Wade said, calling on President Ali to make good on his promise to the family. The attorney said they hope either the FBI or the Royal Canadian Mounted Police will be brought in to conduct a full, impartial investigation.
