Adriana Younge’s family requests President Ali to call in international investigators

Last Updated on Saturday, 3 May 2025, 12:40 by Writer

The family of 11-year-old Adriana Younge on Friday formally asked President Irfaan Ali to seek the assistance of foreign investigators to probe the circumstances surrounding her April 23 or 24 drowning which an autopsy by three foreign forensic pathologists last Monday found.

Her body was found in a pool at the Double Day Hotel, Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo on April 24, one day after she was reported missing there during a family outing.

Attorney-at-Law Darren Wade, who is representing the family of the girl, reiterated the lack of confidence in the Guyana Police Force’s ability to conduct an independent and credible investigation.

But he told President Ali that despite a letter dated April 26, 2025 in which a request was made for the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), United Kingdom’s Scotland Yard or the Royal-Canadian Mounted Police be invited and two press statements on April 24 and 25 publicly issuing that call, government has refused to budge.

“Despite these several pleadings by the family you have failed and/or neglected to invite any of these agencies, as a result am instructed by my client as I hereby do to remind you of a promise of a thorough investigation one of which the Guyana Police Force lacks the necessary competence and creditability to provide,” Mr Wade told Dr Ali.

He said Adriana’s mother, Amecia Simon, had also issued a public appeal for foreign investigators that was widely covered by the media.

“This step is critical not only for the integrity of the investigation but also to provide the family with the necessary closure,” he said.

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo earlier this week said there must be a “thorough” investigation but he deflected questions about whether foreign investigators would be called in to Dr Ali.

Meanwhile, the Guyana Police Force has released the owner of Double Day Hotel after the mandatory 72 hours had passed but he was required to report to police daily and blocked from leaving Guyana.

The then-Commander for Region Three (West Demerara-Essequibo Islands) Assistant Police Commissioner Khalid Mandall and a civilian staff member, who was on duty at the Command Centre, and unspecified members of the police force were sent on administrative leave pending the outcome of the internal probe.

A corporal and a constable were relieved of their duties due to neglect, police added.

Meanwhile, Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton has formally asked the President to conduct a commission of inquiry with support from American, British or Canadian investigators.

In a three-page letter, he also proposed the terms of reference for the inquiry.