Outrage Grows Over Death of Adrianna Younge at Double Day Hotel in Guyana

TUSCHEN, GUYANA – The tragic death of 11-year-old Adrianna Younge at the Double Day Hotel has sparked national outrage, protests, and growing distrust in Guyana's institutions, as her family and citizens demand justice and accountability.

Younge disappeared on April 23, 2025, during a family outing at the hotel’s swimming pool. Her grandmother last saw her around 1:10 PM after giving her money to purchase a swim band. Hours later, family members reported Adrianna missing to the Tuschen Police Station at approximately 3:30 PM after frantic searches yielded no results. Shockingly, nearly 20 hours later, on the morning of April 24, Adrianna’s lifeless body was discovered floating in the same hotel pool.

The discovery devastated the family and triggered widespread suspicion. Adrianna’s body bore visible injuries to her hands, knees, and face, and disturbing reports indicated cotton wool stuffed in her nose, deepening concerns of foul play.

Adrianna's body was found in an upright position with bruises and cotton stuffed in her nose

Adding to the family's grief, the Guyana Police Force initially issued a false report claiming surveillance footage showed Adrianna leaving the hotel in a red and black Toyota Raum. They later retracted the statement, admitting inaccuracies and launching an internal investigation. The public backlash against the misinformation was swift, fueling fears of negligence or a deliberate cover-up.

Historical concerns surrounding the Double Day Hotel have intensified outrage. In 2012, a young man named Sideek Juman was found dead in the same hotel pool under suspicious circumstances. Although hotel manager Bhojnarine Bhola and a driver were initially charged, they were acquitted in 2016 due to a lack of evidence. This disturbing precedent has raised serious questions about long-standing failures to ensure guest safety at the establishment.

Adrianna's body was discovered in the hotel pool

Amid the unfolding tragedy, President Irfaan Ali met with Adrianna’s grieving family and pledged full support for an independent investigation. The government agreed to fund an independent autopsy after the family rejected the appointment of a government-selected Barbadian pathologist. The family is coordinating with a North American pathologist and has called for international law enforcement agencies like the FBI or the Royal Canadian Mounted Police to assist in the investigation.

The situation escalated as residents, incensed by the perceived mishandling of the case, protested at the hotel and surrounding areas. Demonstrations turned violent when enraged citizens looted and burned down the Double Day Hotel and nearby properties. The home of the hotel owners, who have reportedly fled Guyana, was also set ablaze.

Administrative changes followed as Region Three Police Commander Khalid Mandall was reassigned, and Assistant Commissioner Mahindra Siewnarine was appointed to lead investigations. Multiple individuals have been questioned, including hotel staff, security personnel, and a swimming instructor. Still, public skepticism about the integrity of the investigation remains high.

Meanwhile, Deon Jeffrey, a contractor falsely linked by police to Adrianna’s alleged abduction, has announced plans to sue the Guyana Police Force for defamation, loss of income, and damages to his reputation after enduring wrongful detention and public shaming.

As the investigation continues, Guyanese citizens demand transparency, justice, and institutional reforms. For many, Adrianna’s death is not just a personal tragedy but a national reckoning—a reminder that trust in public institutions must be earned through truth and accountability.

The full autopsy results, expected after the arrival of the independent pathologist, are now highly anticipated by a nation watching closely, hoping that Adrianna Younge’s voice will be heard through justice.