Adriana Younge’s drowning: Family seeks controversial T&T pathologist after rejecting findings of 3 internationally recognised pathologists

The family of 11-year-old Adrianna Younge, who was found dead in a hotel pool on April 24, is seeking another autopsy, expressing dissatisfaction with the conclusions of the post mortem examination (PME) that determined she died by drowning.
Three esteemed pathologists conducted the forensic autopsy on Adrianna’s body: Dr Glenn A Rudner from Mount Sinai Hospital in New York, Dr Gary L Collins, Chief Medical Examiner for the State of Delaware, and Dr Shubhakar Karra Paul. All three concluded that Adrianna’s death was consistent with drowning, citing medical evidence such as fluid in the lungs and the absence of trauma or foul play.
Despite these findings, opposition members, particularly from the Alliance for Change (AFC) party, have questioned the credibility and impartiality of the state-led investigation. They are now saying that the Government’s handling of the case lacks transparency and have called for further scrutiny.

Adrianna’s mother, Ameica Simon, and their attorney, Darren Wade, have formally requested another autopsy, potentially to be conducted by Dr Hubert Daisley, a Trinidadian pathologist.
Daisley was identified to witness the PMEs of the three Linden protestors who were shot dead by police in 2012, AFC member Nigel Hughes had said then.
Dr Daisley previously reversed his own autopsy conclusions in the high-profile 2013 case of Trinidadian soldier Lance Corporal Curtis Marshall, initially ruling the death a homicide before later stating it was due to an asthma attack. This reversal sparked public outrage and raised concerns about the reliability of his assessments.
Critics argue that seeking another autopsy may be an attempt to obtain a conclusion that aligns with certain beliefs, rather than accepting the consistent findings of the previous examinations.
Additionally, repeated post-mortem examinations can deteriorate the quality of the body, potentially compromising further forensic analyses.
At least one local attorney has been vocal on the issue, raising concerns about the chain of custody regarding Adrianna’s remains.

The controversy has led to public unrest, with protests erupting across Georgetown and other parts of the country. Demonstrators have accused police of mishandling the investigation and obstructing the initial search for Adrianna. President Irfaan Ali has promised a thorough review of the events leading to Adrianna’s death and urged the public to remain calm.
In a statement on Thursday, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) had said the two ranks, “…a Corporal and a Constable, were relieved of their duties due to neglect”.
Though it did not state when the hotelier was released, the Police said he was released after the statutory detention period had elapsed.
“He was instructed to report to the Police Station on a daily basis and was also ‘blacklisted ‘ or prohibited from leaving the jurisdiction,” the GPF said in its Thursday missive.
What started off as a peaceful protest for justice outside the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC) where the autopsy was being conducted on Adrianna, quickly escalated Monday night into terror, with persons setting fiery road blocks, beating and robbing civilians, damaging private and public property, and looting several businesses.
So far, more than 40 persons have been placed before the courts, charged with terrorism, robbery and cybercrimes related to Monday’s activities.