Kaiteur News Reports : A private international investigative team, led by attorney Dr. Dexter Todd, is actively examining the circumstances surrounding the death of 11-year-old Adriana Younge. The team is currently analyzing surveillance footage, interviewing witnesses, and speaking with persons of interest linked to the case, aiming to conduct an independent investigation that will compare findings with those of the Guyana Police Force (GPF).
Dr. Todd revealed that the investigation is being spearheaded by a digital forensic expert from the UK. “The digital forensic expert is analyzing all video footage. I had a separate team working on that on the ground; I would never have left that to the police,” he stated, emphasizing the importance of independently verifying the police’s narrative.
The team is working to ensure that all aspects of the case are thoroughly examined, and Dr. Todd warned that any misrepresentation by the police would be addressed. “We’re waiting on the police to see what investigation they did… If they think they can glide over important aspects of this, they have another thing coming,” he cautioned.
While the team is not formally funded, Dr. Todd mentioned that several anonymous local and international organizations have pledged support. The investigation currently involves ten persons of interest, including hotel staff and some of Adriana’s relatives. New eyewitness statements continue to emerge, and the team is tracing individual movements based on timestamps in the surveillance footage.
The GPF initially claimed its investigation was concluded and submitted to the Director of Public Prosecutions; however, Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum later stated that the investigation remains active. This contradicts earlier claims, raising questions about the thoroughness of the police’s initial findings. Dr. Todd expressed confusion over this update, noting that it calls into question the conclusions drawn by a Canadian expert investigator who previously reviewed the case.
Adriana’s family has voiced concerns over the GPF’s handling of the investigation, including inaccurate initial statements about her whereabouts and lack of communication. They have taken independent measures to uncover the truth, including hiring legal counsel and transporting Adriana’s body to the United States for a second autopsy. The family now relies on the international investigative team to re-examine the case comprehensively.
Adriana Younge was reported missing during a family trip to Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo, with her body discovered in a hotel swimming pool just 20 hours later. A post-mortem examination concluded that the cause of death was drowning. The ongoing investigation aims to clarify the circumstances surrounding her tragic death and ensure accountability.
