‘Gov’t silent on family’s request for independent probe’

Apr 28, 2025 News

…Lawyer says concerned over police continued breach of SOPs

…as crime scene still being trampled on by public

Kaieteur News- The Government of Guyana (GoG) is yet to respond to a request for independent international investigators to probe the mysterious death of 11-year-old Adrianna Younge, even as it forges ahead with the so-called special team of Guyana Police Force ranks.

‘Gov’t silent on family’s request for independent probe’

Several persons were seen on the premises of the Double Day Hotel following the discovery of the child’s body and subsequent fire at the building.

The lifeless body of the child was pulled from the Double Day Hotel pool, located at Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo around 10:00hrs on Thursday last by her father, Subrian Younge. Little Adrianna was reported missing around 14:00hrs the previous day, during an outing with relatives at the location. Following the discovery of the corpse, the hotel was set on fire, and citizens protested on the streets against the Guyana Police Force (GPF) blaming ranks for failing to act swiftly after the child was reported missing and even issuing a misleading statement that the child was seen on surveillance footage leaving the premises in a car.

President Irfaan Ali during a meeting with the family of late Adrianna Younge on the night the child’s body was found.

Following these events, the family’s Attorney, Darren Wade in a statement said the relatives of the now dead girl has lost confidence in the GPF to conduct a fair and thorough investigation. Consequently, the family demanded the services of international investigators and an independent pathologist to determine what exactly led to the death of the 11-year-old. While their request for an independent pathologist has been confirmed with the autopsy expected to be conducted today, the government has not responded to the family’s request for the State to invite the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) or the Scotland Yard or the Royal Mounted Branch of Canada to investigate the tragic matter.

Attorney-at-law, Darren Wade

Instead, President Irfaan Ali has said that he had asked the Commissioner of Police, Clifton Hicken to assemble “a special team to lead the investigation into all the circumstances surrounding 11-year-old Adrianna Younge.” Ali had said that “we must uncover the full truth of everything that transpired, and no resource or effort will be spared in doing so. Whatever specialised resources are required to determine every aspect of the events and circumstances will be provided. Additionally, I have asked that the police explain, in detail, every action taken since the matter was reported. Like the rest of the country, I stand with this family at this time of extreme grief.” Public confidence in the Guyana Police Force has been at an all-time low and with ranks fabricating a story that the child was abducted at the hotel by someone in a black Toyota Raum, both the family and citizens do not want the force near to the investigation.

On Sunday, when this newspaper asked Wade for an update on the family’s request for independent investigators, he said they have not received a response from the government. “No they have not responded and I sent out this demand personally on the night of the issue to the President (Irfaan Ali) when the incident arose. The family informed the President of them lacking confidence in the Guyana Police Force and we haven’t seen any move by the President or the government in relation to bringing the independent persons.”

The Attorney said he is deeply troubled that an independent investigation into the death of the 11-year-old girl has not commenced, as several days have already elapsed since her body was discovered. Further, with President Ali still quiet on the family’s request for independent investigators, despite giving his word, Wade noted that no alternative body has been suggested to the family. In any case, he made it clear, “But I intend, if they offer the RSS, I would advise my clients to reject it.”

Moreover, Wade raised concerns over the GPF’s continued breach of Standing Operating Procedures (SOPs). “We are surprised, yesterday we passed there, we see the place hasn’t been cordoned off or anything. The state apparatus continues to fail. In the first place the SOPs should have dictate that they cordon off and secure the crime scene and so but this was not done and when we passed there yesterday (Saturday) persons were there with machines taking out things and so on. I passed and witnessed that,” the lawyer stated. He told Kaieteur News that the government is continuing to “drop the ball too often”.

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