Adriana Younge’s funeral postponed

The funeral of 11-year-old Adriana Younge, whose body was found in a hotel pool on April 25, has been postponed, her mother Amecia Simon said on Facebook on Monday.

“Due to ongoing matters and our family’s need for space and clarity as we grieve, we have made the painful decision to postpone Adriana’s funeral today,” she said. A new date will be provided in due course “once we are able to”.

The mother said the decision to postpone the funeral was difficult but the need for “peace” was among the key reasons.

“Please know this was not easy, but we want to honour her with the peace, love and the dignity she deserves,” she said.

The Guyana government, United States Ambassador to Guyana Nicole Theriot and European Ambassador René Van Nes on Monday appealed for peace.

“I strongly urge all involved to commit to peace as the Government works to resolve the situation,” they said.

The Ministry of Home Affairs on Sunday warned that government would not tolerate any disruptions at the time of Younge’s funeral.

“The Guyana Police Force, with the full support of the Joint Services, is on alert to respond to specific and general requests to calls for service from the public to assure calm and security,” the ministry said.

The Ministry of Home Affairs reminded all citizens of the need to enable a non-disruptive, safe and respectful atmosphere, on May 5, 2025 “Arrival Day”, sufficiently conducive to enabling the funeral arrangements for Younge, the successful commencement of sittings of the CXC Examinations, the appropriate celebration of Arrival Day “and the full return to safe and normal undertakings throughout the country.”

The Guyana Police Force is yet to hold a news conference on the incident.

A post-mortem conducted by three foreign forensic pathologists found that the girl died by drowning.

Amid persistent calls for foreign investigators to come to Guyana to probe the circumstances surrounding the girl’s death and the discovery of her body in the pool at Double Day Hotel, Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo, the Guyana government had promised a thorough probe.

Ms Simon also thanked all of Guyana for their outpouring of sympathy.

“My heart is shattered beyond words. As a mother there is no pain greater than losing your child – she was my heartbeat, my everything. My precious Adriana was the light of our lives and in this unbearable moment we are clinging to the love she gave so freely and the memories that will live with us forever.

“I want to take this moment through my tears and brokenness, to thank each and every one of you near and far who have stood with our family during this impossible time. The support you all have shown us, the messages, prayers, hugs and tears shared with us – they have held us up when we thought we couldn’t stand. I’ve felt the arms of this nation around me and I am so deeply grateful,” she said.