Police confirm Adriana Younge’s death as drowning; no abnormal findings in toxicology report 

The Guyana Police Force on Tuesday night said Adriana Younge’s death has been officially ruled a drowning with no signs of foul play, based on the final report submitted by the three pathologists.

However, the young girl’s remains were flown to New York this week for a second autopsy to be done.

Younge, 11, who was reported missing and later found dead in the Double Day Hotel at Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo on April 24.

See below the full release from the Guyana Police Force: 

The Guyana Police Force wishes to confirm that the death of 11-year-old Adriana Younge has been officially ruled a drowning, with no signs of foul play, according to the final post-mortem report submitted today by the three internationally renowned Pathologists to investigators.

Younge’s body was discovered on April 24, 2025, in the swimming pool of the Double Day International Hotel. The certified findings from the autopsy confirmed that her death was consistent with drowning, and no evidence of trauma, assault, or any other criminal activity was found.

Moreover, the above findings support an earlier report submitted by Mr. Leonard McCoshan (retired) Royal Canadian Mounted Police investigator who concluded that there is “𝐧𝐨 𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐟𝐨𝐮𝐥 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐲 𝐛𝐲 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐧𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐫 𝐮𝐧𝐧𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐝 𝐝𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐠𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧.”

Adriana, a female of mixed ancestry, was reportedly last seen by her grandmother at approximately 13:01 hours on April 23, 2025, in the hotel’s swimming pool. Her body was found floating in the same pool the following morning.

Upon learning of the incident, the Guyana Police Force launched a thorough investigation. The child’s family raised several concerns, citing her ability to swim and alleging the possibility of sexual assault, forced drowning elsewhere, and ritualistic activity. These concerns were taken seriously and fully explored in collaboration with forensic experts.

A comprehensive postmortem examination, including toxicology and DNA testing, was carried out. Key findings include:

• No signs of acute injury or trauma were present.
• Toxicology results showed ethanol levels consistent with postmortem decomposition.
• Sexual assault kit and DNA analysis for potential suspects were negative.
• Skin and airway changes were in line with prolonged submersion and drowning.
• There was no evidence of restraint, struggle, removal, and return of the body.

The Pathologists concluded that Adriana Younge drowned, likely sank to the bottom of the pool, and later surfaced due to natural decomposition processes common in tropical climates.

The detectives are currently preparing the investigative case file for submission to the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) for her perusal and legal opinion.

The Guyana Police Force extends heartfelt condolences to the Younge family and remains committed to transparency and justice.