Police deny with holding autopsy report – Crime Chief
Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum has confirmed that the investigation into the death of 11-year-old Adriana Younge remains active, while firmly rejecting claims that the Guyana Police Force (GPF) withheld her autopsy report from her family.
Speaking on Tuesday during the third episode of the television programme Safeguarding Our Nation, Blanhum emphasized the GPF’s commitment to transparency in the handling of the high-profile case, which he described as a tragic incident that deeply affected the nation.
The Crime Chief disclosed that the former Region Three Commander and several other officers linked to the case remain on administrative leave. Their status will be determined pending the conclusion of the investigation and legal advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
“There were factual circumstance, and those facts were hijacked by persons with sinister motives and lawless behaviours,” Blanhum stated. “The case of Adriana Younge is still listed as an active investigation. Detectives were advised to continue further investigations and, on completion, the case file will be forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecutions for her legal opinion.”
In response to public speculation and media reports, Blanhum revealed that the police had delivered Younge’s autopsy report to the family’s attorney on June 16, 2025. He described this move as an “unusual step,” taken in the interest of transparency, despite the investigation still being ongoing
His clarification addresses a claim made by the family’s lawyer, reported in the press on June 24, that police had failed to release the post-mortem report.
“On Monday, the 16th of June, 2025, the Guyana Police Force, contrary to Standard Operating Procedures and in the interest of transparency, shared with the family attorney for Adriana Younge her autopsy report,” Blanhum said. “However, it was later brought to our attention that the attorney told members of the media that the Guyana Police Force is still withholding the post-mortem report. This statement is inaccurate.”
Younge was laid to rest on June 22. Her body was discovered on April 24 inside the swimming pool of a hotel on the East Bank of Essequibo under what many have described as “suspicious circumstances.”
At the time of her disappearance, Younge was at the hotel with her grandmother and other relatives. The family had reportedly urged hotel staff to conduct a search for the child hours before her body was found, but the request was denied as police secured the area.
Early police reports had mistakenly stated that Younge was seen leaving the premises in a Toyota Raum. That information was later retracted by Region 3 Divisional Commander Khalid Mandlall, who confirmed the report was inaccurate. Two officers were subsequently relieved of their duties as investigations progressed.
The initial autopsy, conducted by three overseas-based pathologists, concluded that Younge died by drowning. However, the circumstances of her disappearance, the condition of her body, and conflicting early reports fueled public speculation and demands for justice.
The hotel owner, Bhojnauth Bhola, along with several staff members, was arrested and later released. A toxicology report was also conducted but reportedly showed no abnormalities.
In addition, DNA samples from Younge and the hotel’s owner were sent overseas for testing. The results of that testing have not yet been made public.
The case has sparked national and international outrage, with many continuing to call for answers and accountability.
