Adrianna Younge’s drowning: Water samples from pool sent overseas for forensic tests – Police

As the investigation into the death of 11-year-old Adriana Younge continues, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) has confirmed that water samples from the pool of the now gutted Double Day Hotel at Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo, where the child’s body was discovered on the morning of April 24, have been sent overseas for independent forensic analysis.
This update was issued in a statement from the GPF following a high-level, confidential meeting on Tuesday between Police Commissioner Clifton Hicken and two Deputy Commissioners, and the family’s newly retained attorneys, Dexter Todd and Eusi Anderson.
The GPF emphasised that the session was held in good faith, and was aimed at reaffirming its commitment to transparency, accountability, and a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding Adrianna’s tragic death.

According to the police statement, the attorneys were assured that the investigation remains open and active, with all leads being pursued; senior oversight is being maintained to ensure impartiality; water samples have been sent abroad for testing as part of a comprehensive forensic probe; additional forensic testing —including toxicology, histopathology, and DNA analysis, has been arranged with facilities in the United States. Certain questions were deferred for formal written response to preserve the integrity of the investigation.
In an interview with media operatives following the meeting, legal representatives Dexter Todd and Eusi Anderson said the meeting yielded “no substantive answers” to a series of critical questions surrounding the investigation.
The lawyers – who replaced the family’s previous attorney, Darren Wade, were advised to submit their questions in a formal letter to the Police Commissioner and Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum.
The attorneys, who were not present in the early stages of the investigation, also sought answers regarding the early public pronouncements on the cause of death; which, according to the post-mortem examination (PME) conducted by a team of three internationally-recognized pathologists: Dr. Glenn Rudner, Dr. Gary Collins, and Dr Shubhakar Karra Paul, concluded that her cause of death was consistent with drowning.
Dr Collins was the pathologist selected by the Younge family. The autopsy cited fluid in the lungs and the absence of physical trauma or foul play.
Nevertheless, samples were taken by the police and were properly stored, with arrangements with Mount Sinai and the National Medical Services Laboratories, a forensic reference laboratory in the United States, to conduct the analysis of these samples.
Upon the completion of these tests, which include a comprehensive toxicological study, histopathological examination and DNA analyses, the findings will be made public.
However, the family is not happy with the autopsy results, and is seeking to have another one performed.
Meanwhile, the child’s funeral – which was slated for May 5 – has been postponed. The announcement was made by family members on the day of the funeral itself.
The attorneys have emphasised the need for full access to the autopsy findings, including video documentation of the procedure, to ensure any follow-up examination is conducted with complete context.
Days after the discovery of the girl’s body in the hotel’s pool, Commander of Regional Division #3, Assistant Commissioner Khalid Mandall, was went on administrative leave. Two ranks of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) have been fired for neglect over their handling of the young girl’s case.