President Dr. Irfaan Ali has assured the grieving family of 11-year-old Adrianna Younge that the government is fully committed to transparency and justice in the investigation surrounding her tragic death. Meeting with Adrianna’s family outside their Hyde Park, Parika home on Saturday, President Ali emphasized that every step of the ongoing probe will be meticulously documented and open to scrutiny.
Adrianna’s body was discovered under suspicious circumstances in the pool of the Double Day Hotel at Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo, sparking public outrage and widespread protests. The family, expressing distrust in the initial police response, has called for an independent investigation and requested that a US-based pathologist oversee the post-mortem examination.
President Ali responded by guaranteeing that all of the family’s requests regarding the autopsy will be honored. “We want full transparency. I’ve asked the police to make sure everything is videoed – no missteps; everything is videoed, everything is observed,” he stated. The President further assured that as many witnesses as the family deems medically permissible will be accommodated during the autopsy, and that all their requests will be respected as far as possible.
The autopsy is scheduled to be conducted by the family’s chosen pathologist, Dr. Gary Collins, Chief Medical Examiner of Delaware, alongside the Guyana Police Force’s independent pathologist. Another expert from Mount Sinai Hospital in New York is also expected to join the team, underscoring the administration’s commitment to impartiality.
President Ali reiterated his support for peaceful protest, while cautioning against actions that disrupt public order. “All of us want the truth. That is the only thing I’m interested in; ensuring the truth leads to justice,” he told the family.
The government’s approach, including the recording and observation of every aspect of the investigation and autopsy, aims to restore public trust and provide the family with the answers they seek. The investigation remains ongoing, with several police officers under scrutiny and administrative leave, as authorities await the results of the comprehensive post-mortem examination.
