Crime Chief, Deputy Commissioner of Police Wendell Blanhum has indicated that the Adriana Younge case is still open and under investigation by the Guyana Police Force.

The 11-year-old girl was found dead in a pool at the Double Day Hotel in Tuschen, one day after she went missing. A post-mortem examination concluded that she died by drowning, but that finding has not been accepted by the family. The child was laid to rest two weeks ago.

Back in May, retired Canadian investigator, Leonard McChosen, was flown in to assist the Guyana Police Force with the investigations. The family of Adrianna Younge had rejected his involvement and have been calling for the Government to seek the assistance of the US Federal Bureau of Investigations.

Appearing this morning on the Government produced, “Safeguarding the Nation” programme, the Crime Chief said that there were factual circumstances from the onset of the case which he believes were later hijacked by persons with sinister motives.

“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 Prosecution for her legal opinion,” the Crime Chief said.

Additionally, Mr. Blanhum confirmed that the former Region 3 Police Commander along with several of the ranks who were on scene in the initial stages of the investigations remain on leave.

The Crime Chief has promised full transparency in the matter and said the autopsy report has also been handed over the family.

“I also wish to address an issue that is in the public domain. On Monday 16th June 2025, the Guyana Police Force, contrary to standard operating procedure and in the interest of full transparency, share with the family attorney for Adriana Younge her autopsy report. 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 and the Guyana Police Force is committed to full transparency in the Adriana Young’s case,” Mr. Blanhum stated.

The child’s death led to widespread protests and calls for an independent probe. More than a month after the initial autopsy was done in Guyana, the child’s remains were flown to the US for a second autopsy. The remains were later brought back to Guyana for the funeral and burial.

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