The Guyana Police Force (GPF) has moved to set the record straight by reiterating the factual account of the events and procedures surrounding the autopsy of 11-year-old Adrianna Younge, whose body was discovered in the swimming pool of the Double Day Hotel in Tuschen on Thursday, 24 April 2025.
The police in a release said the clarification has become necessary due to what it described as a “relentless campaign by certain persons to distort the truth in the public domain, in particular social media.”
“As a result of public concerns generated from the circumstances in which the death of Adrianna Younge occurred, the Government of Guyana intervened and an extraordinary and unprecedented process was embarked upon to facilitate an independent forensic post mortem examination to be conducted by respected and highly qualified foreign pathologists,” the release said.
To ensure transparency and independence, a team comprising Dr Gary Collins (selected by the family), Dr Rudner from Mount Sinai, and Dr Paul from the Government of Barbados conducted a comprehensive forensic examination. Present at the examination were Darren Wade, the legal representative of the family, and Dr Caleb Mc Cloggan, a medical doctor also selected by the family.
The GPF noted that it was not responsible for releasing the preliminary findings of the cause of death, which indicated drowning.
“The Guyana Police Force wishes to make it abundantly clear that it was the relatives of the deceased, their lawyer and the doctor representing the family who divulged to the Press and published on the social media the preliminary finding of the cause of death, drowning, of the forensic examination,” the release said.
The GPF further rejected claims made by attorney Dexter Todd, who suggested that the police had prematurely released the findings.
“Moreover, it was never disputed that the report prepared by the pathologists was preliminary in nature. This was made clear from the inception. It was also made pellucid that a toxicology analysis will be conducted overseas and only when this process is concluded, a final report will be issued.”
The police also criticised Mr Todd for his public comments on the case.
“It is rather unfortunate that Mr. Todd would attempt to blatantly mislead the public by his erroneous utterances and uninitiated opinions in a highly technical scientific field. Professional comity and common courtesy demand that he defers to the opinion of three renowned international experts in the field,” the release said.
In light of widespread misinformation online, the police felt compelled to publicly share some findings from the preliminary forensic report. These included:
1. No evidence of sexual assault (external genitalia examined and hymen intact);
2. No traumatic injury to soft tissues or skeletal structure.
3. Residual cone of foam in nostrils and oral cavity, consistent with drowning (and refuting claims of cotton wool presence);
4. Skin changes such as ‘washerwoman’ effects on hands and soles, consistent with prolonged immersion and drowning;
5. No antemortem injuries—skin intact;
6. Approximately 1ml of liquid in the sphenoid sinus, consistent with drowning;
7. Liquid present in the lungs, also consistent with drowning.
A comprehensive toxicological analysis of blood and gastric contents is currently being conducted by the National Medical Services (NMS) Laboratories in the United States. Tissue samples are also undergoing histological analysis by board-certified forensic pathologists at Mount Sinai.
According to the GPF, the purpose of the toxicology report is to determine the presence and potential impact of drugs, alcohol, poisons, or other toxic substances in the body.
“It is hoped that this statement brings clarity to the matter. The Guyana Police Force hereby advises against the dissemination of malicious and unfounded rumours, fanciful and uneducated opinions and reckless speculations on this very grave and important matter,” the release concluded.
