Adrianna Younge’s death: Massive public outcry, calls for thorough investigation

Article by: Ramona Luthi

Social Media live stream by: Moses Williams

Adrianna Younge, the 11-year-old girl initially believed to have been abducted from the Double Day Hotel in Tuschen, was found dead on Thursday morning in the hotel’s swimming pool — the same location where she was last seen with her family, yesterday.

Ignite News had earlier reported that Younge had accompanied her grandmother, Carol Xavier, and other relatives to the hotel on Wednesday afternoon. At around 1:10pm, Xavier reportedly gave Adrianna money to purchase a wristband for pool access. The child subsequently entered the pool with her siblings. A short while later, when Xavier called the children out of the water, Adrianna was nowhere to be found.

Family members conducted a frantic search in and around the pool area and the hotel premises, but their efforts proved futile. The matter was then reported to the Tuschen Police Station. Officers arrived at approximately 3:30pm and conducted a thorough search of the property — including guest rooms, storerooms, the yard, and the rooftop — but the child remained missing.

While the hotel was equipped with several surveillance cameras, investigators were reportedly told by hotel management that none were functional and no footage could be retrieved.

Initial police reports claimed that external CCTV footage showed Adrianna entering a red and black Toyota Raum, registration number PSS 4684, which was seen leaving the premises heading east toward Vreed-en-Hoop. The car’s registered owner reportedly told police that the vehicle had been rented to a man known only as “Orlando.” However, attempts to locate this individual were unsuccessful. The vehicle was last traced to the Onderneeming area on the West Bank of Demerara at around 8:58 PM that night.

Despite the police narrative, family members insisted that Adrianna never left the hotel, as according to them, the CCTV footage from a neighbouring entity showed the child arriving with her family, but never leaving.
Their position was echoed by angry residents who, on Thursday morning, gathered outside the Double Day Hotel, burning tyres and demanding answers. Protesters voiced frustration with the hotel’s lack of cooperation, with some accusing the establishment of negligence and suspicious actions.

Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr. Vindhya Persaud, visited the scene before Adrianna’s body was discovered. Captured on Ignite News’ LIVE coverage, Minister Persaud described the situation as “disturbing” and “horrible,” expressing empathy for the grieving family.

“Big multi-million dollar business like this, and you trying fuh tell people that you got all these cameras here fuh style?… Nonsense!” one protester shouted.
Minister Persaud added, “I have one philosophy — the police have to leave no stone unturned until they find [the child]. That’s what they should be doing. They’ve got to check here, and there’s also information out there for people and other police stations to look out for the child, should she be anywhere else. So two things are happening — here and across the country. We have to get to the bottom of this.”

However, it was not until approximately 10:30am on Thursday, that police at the scene confirmed that Adrianna’s body was discovered floating vertically in the pool. Her mother collapsed in the arms of family members and Minister Persaud, weeping that her daughter’s body had not been in the pool the night before.

The announcement sparked heightened outrage. Protesters vandalized the hotel’s two buildings, pelting them with bottles, setting parts of the property on fire, and calling for justice. The Divisional Commander on site declined to speak with the media.

The unrest soon spread. Ignite News learned that some protesters headed to the home of the hotelier, located not far from the business, and set it alight. A neighboring house was also affected by the flames.
In a statement released later on Thursday, the Guyana Police Force admitted that its initial report contained inaccuracies.

“Following preliminary investigations, it has been determined that certain details contained in the initial statement circulated were inaccurate,” the GPF stated. “The Force is currently reviewing the internal communication processes that led to the release of that statement.”
The GPF added that the Divisional Commander and all ranks involved in preparing and disseminating the report would be interviewed and that corrective measures would be implemented.

Vice President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo has also expressed concern over the inconsistencies in the reports and demanded the release of any surveillance footage cited by the police.
“The family deserves answers, and the people of this country deserve answers,” he said. “How, after this young lady left, did her body return to the pool?”
President Dr. Irfaan Ali has ordered a special investigative team to probe the circumstances surrounding Adrianna’s death, assuring that no resource will be spared in the pursuit of truth. An independent pathologist, Dr. Shubhakar Karra Paul, is expected to arrive from Barbados to conduct the autopsy.

“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,” the President stated in a Facebook post.

Opposition parties, including the PNC and AFC, have also thrown their support behind calls for a thorough, independent investigation.
This tragic incident has triggered national outrage and widespread calls for transparency. The Guyana Police Force has urged members of the public to remain calm while investigations continue, and pledged to issue verified updates as new information emerges.

The home of the hotelier was set on fire by

 Adrianna’s mom (in black) at the protest”

President Ali has ordered a thorough investigation into Adrianna’s death (Forbes photo)