Death of 11-year-old Adrianna Younge: Autopsy by 3 international pathologists confirms child died by drowning

…confirms no sexual assault, no bodily violence, marks consistent with water damage

…peaceful protests hijacked by destructive opposition elements looting, starting fires

…primary-school students, teacher injured in acid attack

Protests exploded into violence outside the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) on Monday, as initially peaceful protests over the death of 11-year-old Adrianna Younge were hijacked by rogue opposition elements shouting anti-Government rhetoric. What began as a solemn call for justice rapidly descended into chaos, as demonstrators hurled bottles, stones, and other objects at police officers who had been deployed to maintain order.
In response to the escalating violence, police discharged rubber pellets at the unruly crowds in an attempt to disperse the growing mob. The confrontation led to panic outside the hospital gates, endangering patients, doctors, and staff inside the facility. Deputy Assistant Commissioner of Police, Simon McBean, confirmed that medical personnel inside GPHC expressed fear for their lives, warning that any further breach of the hospital’s security could have had catastrophic consequences. At one point the entrance/exit was blocked.
Dr Caleb Mc Cloggan, a medical professional at GPHC, made urgent pleas for calm, emphasising the dangers of igniting fires or attacking the hospital. “Please desist,” he appealed to protestors. “There are oxygen tanks and sick patients here.”
By Monday evening, as the unrest spread, roadways were blocked in Hopetown, Berbice, and fires were lit along Camp Street, East Ruimveldt, Mandela Avenue, and outside GPHC itself. Supermarkets, stores and restaurants were looted, notably the Chinese Supermarket at Lamaha and Albert Streets and Lucky Dollar at Vreed-en-Hoop, West Coast Demerara (WCD).
In one particularly disturbing incident, three Chateau Margot Primary School students and their teacher were victims of an acid attack by two men on a motorcycle, an act which authorities are investigating as linked to the broader wave of lawlessness. The protests, initially driven by grief and calls for answers over Adrianna Younge’s death, were later hijacked by individuals incited through inflammatory language and misinformation — including content linked to elements of the political opposition, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU).

A wanted bulletin has since been issued for persons involved in inciting public terror. President Irfaan Ali condemned the violence in a national address, stating, “Let me be unequivocally clear: no effort is spared in getting to the truth in relation to Adrianna’s death. Peaceful protests and lawful expressions will always be respected. But we will not condone illegalities and destruction. Those who seek to disrupt the process of justice will face the full force of the law.”

PME results
Meanwhile, inside GPHC, crucial developments unfolded in the investigation into Adrianna Younge’s death. Three internationally recognised forensic pathologists — Dr Glenn A Rudner of Mount Sinai Hospital in New York, Dr. Shubhakar Karra Paul of Barbados, and Dr Gary L Collins, Chief Medical Examiner of Delaware — conducted a post-mortem examination (PME) on the child’s body. The last individual was selected by Adrianna’s family.
Attorney Darren Wade, representing the Younge family, confirmed the pathologists’ findings: Adrianna died from drowning. No signs of sexual assault were found, and the marks on her body were consistent with water damage, not violence or abuse. The family’s lawyer also stated that the autopsy could not determine where the drowning occurred, nor was it possible to establish the exact time of death because of the decomposition of the body.
The PME was witnessed by the child’s family, their lawyer, and medical officials, ensuring full transparency.
The circumstances surrounding Adrianna’s death, whose body was discovered in the pool of the Double Day Hotel at Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo (EBE) last week continue to be the subject of intense investigation. Her family had initially raised concerns about bruises on her body, prompting the Government to honour their request for an independent and comprehensive autopsy.
Despite the grief which fueled the peaceful protests, many across Guyana are now questioning how breaking into businesses, attacking students, and looting align with the pursuit of justice. “This is not justice — this is wickedness being done in that girl’s name,” one citizen lamented.
As the investigation continues, President Ali has been urging the public to remain calm and allow justice to take its course, warning that those responsible for the violence, looting, and arson will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
The discovery of her body sparked outrage with protest actions spreading from Region Three to other parts of the country, calling for justice.
Adrianna’s family has already expressed their distrust of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and called for an independent investigation.
Meanwhile, the Commander of Regional Division #3, Assistant Commissioner Khalid Mandall, has been sent on administrative leave to facilitate ongoing investigations into the young girl’s death, which is being led by the Force’s Major Crimes Unit.
The actions of several members of the regional police team that responded to the report of Adrianna’s disappearance are under question, with both President Ali and Vice President (VP) Dr Bharrat Jagdeo demanding answers.
This was after the police reported initially that there was footage of the hotel, showing that the 11-year-old girl had entered a motorcar and leaving the hotel but her family was adamant that she never left since they reviewed footage from a neighbour’s security camera, which showed no signs of her leaving.
Hours after Adrianna’s body was discovered, the police admitted to releasing “inaccurate” information.
In addition to the Commander being sent on admin leave, three police officers in the division are also currently under close arrest, and a number of other police ranks were also questioned.
The GPF said too that investigators have thus far contacted and questioned the proprietor of the Hotel and all employees, who were present there on the day of the incident. The owner and some staff are said to be in custody.