The United States Ambassador to Guyana, Nicole Theriot, revealed today that while there have been public calls for the US Federal Bureau of Investigations to assist with the investigations into the death of 11-year-old Adriana Younge, there has been no request from the Guyana Government for any such assistance.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the Caribbean Commissioners of Police General Meeting this morning at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, Ambassador Theriot said any request for the FBI’s assistance must come from the Guyana Government.

“We would gladly listen to their requests and do what we can. I understand that it is going to involve requesting FBI assistance for the investigation. The way that it works it is a Government-to-Government request. So, the Government of Guyana would have to make that request to the FBI and they would determine base on their capacity and their resources if they are able to assist,” Ambassador Theriot explained.

She confirmed that at present, there has been no request from the Government of Guyana.

The Guyana Government has instead turned to retired Canadian Special Crimes Invesigator, Leonard McCoshen to assist the Guyana Police Force with its investigations. Mr. McCoshen is expected to arrive in the country tonight, although the family of the dead girl has objected to him being the only foreign investigator to join the probe.

The US Ambassador reminded today that the FBI has assisted with major investigations in Guyana previously, with the most recent case being the probe into the Mahdia School dorm fire which claimed the lives of 20 children.

“As you know, they came and did a very, very thorough investigation after the Mahdia fires. They were instrumental in that. And so, we are happy to accept that request if that is what the Government wishes to do,” the US Ambassador said.

Meanwhile, outside of the US Embassy in Kingston today, the Police erected barricades across the main access roads to the embassy after receiving reports of a planned protest to demand the FBI’s help.

There was no protest, and the US Ambassador said peaceful protests are a right and the US remains open to listening to the concerns about the case.

Adriana Younge’s body was found in a pool at the Double Day Hotel at Tuschen on the East Bank of Essequibo, one day after she was reported missing at the same hotel. The family said there were several searches conducted for her in the hotel’s pool, but all of those searches came up empty handed.

Her body was found in the pool as protest actions intensified outside the hotel on the morning after she was reported missing.

Related posts:

Adriana Younge’s family rejects single international investigator to probe child’s death -Attorney Jagdeo hopes investigation with foreign assistance will unearth the truth in Adriana Younge’s death Canadian homicide expert to join probe into death of Adriana Younge -Government announces Water samples from pool where Adriana Younge’s body found sent overseas for forensic analysis -Police