The quiet community of Tuschen erupted in outrage and grief on Thursday after the body of 11-year-old Adrianna Younge, missing since the previous day, was discovered in the swimming pool of the Double Day Hotel. The tragic discovery has ignited violent protests, arson, and a national outcry over the handling of the case by authorities.
Adrianna Younge had been at the hotel pool with her grandmother and siblings on Wednesday afternoon. According to family accounts, she vanished when her grandmother called the children out of the water. Despite immediate searches by relatives and later by police, Adrianna was not found on the premises that day. The family’s pleas for assistance from hotel staff reportedly went unheeded, and requests to review security footage were denied.
Confusion and anger mounted after police initially stated that surveillance footage showed Adrianna entering a red and black motorcar and leaving the hotel area. However, family members contested this, claiming neighboring cameras never captured her departure. The hotel manager later revealed that the facility’s own cameras were not operational at the time.
By Thursday morning, Adrianna’s body was discovered in the very pool that had been repeatedly searched. The grim find sparked immediate fury among Tuschen residents, who accused both the hotel and law enforcement of negligence and mishandling the investigation. Crowds gathered outside the Double Day Hotel, quickly escalating from protest to violence. The hotel and the owner’s nearby residence were set ablaze as police struggled to contain the unrest. Looters reportedly took advantage of the chaos, carting off goods from the burning buildings.
President Irfaan Ali responded swiftly, ordering a full and independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding Adrianna’s disappearance and death. “We must uncover the full truth of everything that transpired, and no resource or effort will be spared in doing so,” President Ali stated, promising specialized resources and a detailed review of the police response.
The Guyana Human Rights Association has expressed grave concern over the police’s conduct, highlighting inconsistencies in official statements and the failure to locate the child despite multiple searches. The Association drew parallels with other recent high-profile cases, warning that public trust in law enforcement is eroding.
As Tuschen mourns the loss of a young life, the community’s anger remains palpable. Many are demanding accountability, not only for Adrianna’s death but for what they see as systemic failures that allowed tragedy to unfold. The investigation continues, with the nation watching closely for answers and justice.
