PNCR/APNU Marks Anniversary of Adrianna Young’s Death

The People’s National Congress Reform/A Partnership for National Unity (PNCR/APNU) on Thursday marked the first anniversary of the death of 11-year-old Adrianna Young, renewing calls for justice even as the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has recently ordered an inquest into the circumstances surrounding her death.

In a statement, the opposition said the pain of Adrianna’s loss “remains raw,” noting that her family continues to endure grief without closure. The party expressed solidarity with the family and described the case as one that has come to symbolise broader concerns about accountability and the rule of law.

Adrianna died on April 23–24, 2025, after she was reported missing during a family outing at the Double Day Hotel in Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo. She was last seen in the pool area around 1:00 p.m., and after she could not be located, a report was made to the Tuschen Police Station. Despite searches by relatives, hotel staff, and authorities, her body was discovered nearly 20 hours later in the same pool.

The PNCR/APNU said the circumstances continue to raise troubling questions, including how the child’s body went undetected in an area that had reportedly been searched multiple times, and why no criminal charges have been brought against any individuals.

However, in a significant recent development, Director of Public Prosecutions Shalimar Ali-Hack has directed that an inquest be held into Adrianna’s death. The inquest, to be conducted under the Coroner’s Act, will examine “the cause of and circumstances connected” to the child’s death, with a magistrate empowered to call witnesses and review evidence.

The Guyana Police Force has confirmed that it has received the DPP’s advice and is taking steps to facilitate the legal process, noting the importance of maintaining public confidence and accountability.

The DPP’s decision comes nearly a year after the case sparked national outrage and scrutiny over the handling of the investigation. While post-mortem examinations concluded that Adrianna died by drowning and found no evidence of trauma, the timeline of events and conflicting early reports have continued to fuel public concern.

Despite welcoming any move toward clarity, the PNCR/APNU argued that the delay in reaching this stage underscores deeper institutional failures. The party raised concerns about alleged inconsistencies in police reports, the role of officers involved during the search period, and the lack of accountability for the hotel.

The opposition is calling for the inquest to be conducted with full transparency and independence, and for all responsible parties—whether private individuals or public officials—to be held accountable.

The anniversary of Adrianna Young’s death places renewed national focus on the case, which remains a subject of intense public concern, with the forthcoming inquest viewed as a critical step toward uncovering the truth and providing long-awaited answers to her family and the wider public.