With the autopsy of 11-year-old Adrianna Younge now complete and the cause of death determined as drowning, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo has called for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the child’s tragic passing, to determine whether it was an accident or involved foul play.
Speaking at his weekly press conference today, Jagdeo emphasised that while the medical findings concluded Adrianna died by drowning, many unanswered questions remain. He stressed that the Younge family—and the country at large—deserve to know the full truth. President Irfaan Ali, he noted, has already committed to uncovering the facts and ensuring justice is served.
The family deserves to know the truth, Dr Jagdeo stated, while pointing out that although many Guyanese are genuinely grieving, others have sought to exploit the tragedy for political gain.
The Vice President said he understands the anguish of the family, particularly Adrianna’s father, and noted that samples from the post-mortem have been sent for toxicology analysis.
The post-mortem found no broken bones and no evidence that the child was sexually assaulted.
He said the conduct of the police in handling the matter would also be investigated.
At the same time, he categorically rejected what he described as “vile” claims by opposition elements that Adrianna was sacrificed by the ruling People’s Progressive Party (PPP) to win the upcoming elections.
He condemned these statements as not only politically motivated but also deeply disparaging to the Hindu faith.
The PPP, he said, wins elections through hard work and by delivering on promises to the people.
He accused certain individuals of showing no interest in the pathologists’ findings, but instead seeking to incite unrest. The Vice President linked this behaviour to a wider political agenda aimed at creating chaos and division.
The child’s death sparked widespread criticism of police operations and unrest across the country, which included looting, road blockages, and robberies. These actions drew strong condemnation from the business sector, civil society groups, and all major political parties.
