Hotel owner, employees in police custody as probe into Adrianna Younge’s death deepens

The owner of the Double Day Hotel in Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo, remains in police custody as authorities continue to investigate the disappearance and subsequent death of 11-year-old Adrianna Younge.

While the Guyana Police Force has yet to officially confirm the detention of any suspects, despite persistent enquiries, well-placed sources close to the investigation have confirmed the detention of a Mr Bhola.

Several hotel employees who were on duty at the time of Adrianna’s disappearance on Wednesday are also in custody. Her body was discovered in the hotel’s swimming pool approximately 20 hours after she was reported missing.

Adrianna had been visiting the hotel’s pool with family members on Wednesday. Multiple searches of the premises, conducted between Wednesday and Thursday morning, initially yielded no results.

A police statement previously reported that CCTV footage showed Adrianna entering a red and black Raum motorcar bearing registration number PSS 4684, which allegedly drove off towards Vreed-en-Hoop. That statement was later retracted by the police.

On Thursday evening, President Irfaan Ali met with Adrianna’s parents, relatives, and close friends, describing the meeting as an “emotional encounter.” He offered them his unconditional support, love, and prayers, and reiterated his earlier pledge that “every aspect of this case will be investigated comprehensively.”

An independent international pathologist is scheduled to arrive in Guyana to conduct a post-mortem examination on Adrianna Younge’s body. The results of the examination will be crucial in determining what transpired, particularly as the hotel has since been destroyed by fire, set by angry protestors in the wake of the disturbing discovery and perceived police inaction.

The independent pathologist, Dr Shubhakar Karra Paul, is travelling from Barbados. He brings with him extensive experience in forensic and legal medicine, having previously assisted local experts in identifying victims of the tragic fire at the Mahdia Secondary School Female Dormitory in May 2023.