Adriana Younge’s family rejects call for protests; funeral set for Monday

The family of 11-year-old Adriana Younge has firmly rejected public calls for protests and disruptions ahead of her funeral, scheduled for Monday, May 5. In a widely shared public message, Adriana’s aunt, Amika Lewis, urged supporters to respect the family’s wishes and allow them to bury Adriana peacefully.

The appeal comes amid heightened national attention and public speculation surrounding Adriana’s tragic death at a hotel pool on April 24. The original post-mortem examination (PME), conducted by a team of three internationally recognised pathologists— Dr Glenn Rudner, Dr Gary Collins, and Dr Shubhakar Karra Paul—concluded that her cause of death was consistent with drowning. The autopsy cited classic signs such as fluid in the lungs and the absence of physical trauma or foul play.
In a brief telephone interview on Saturday, the child’s aunt urged protestors planning to stop the burial of Adriana, to desist from doing so.
Lewis also took her pleas to Facebook, stating in a post: “We do not agree to or condone this action. We will bury Adriana in a peaceful manner on Monday. Honour Adriana and the wishes of her family. NO PROTESTS!”
Initially, the family was planning to conduct a second autopsy, to be performed this time by Trinidadian pathologist Dr Hubert Daisley. However, the family has since opted not to proceed with the second examination.

Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony, in a detailed statement, has defended the integrity of the original autopsy process. He noted that the procedure was fully documented and witnessed by representatives of the family, including an independent doctor and a nurse, with the entire process recorded on video.
“During the autopsy, this was witnessed not only by the family, Dr Caleb and with Dr Collins, the pathologist who participated in the autopsy, but it was also witnessed by a nurse who was present on behalf of the family in the room where the autopsy was being done; by a family member who was also there witnessing the autopsy, and then they had another person who was doing the video from start to end. So this whole process was documented from the very beginning right up to the end, and everyone who witnessed this expressed their satisfaction with how this process went. So, we are very clear that it was very transparent, everybody was satisfied and every single question that was asked of the pathologist was answered,” the Minister said.
Adriana’s death has touched many across the country, sparking emotional responses and public debates.
With the funeral now confirmed for Monday, the family is calling for peace, making it clear that they wish to focus on healing and remembrance, not political theatrics or unverified claims.