Commander sent on administrative leave; three cops under close arrest

Apr 27, 2025 News

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…as request for independent pathologist to do PME on Adrianna Younge being reviewed – Pres. Ali tells relatives

Kaieteur News- Commander of Regional Division #3, Assistant Commissioner of Police Khalid Mandall has been sent on administrative leave to facilitate an investigation into the death of 11-year-old Adrianna Younge at the Double Day International Hotel, Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo.

Younge was found dead on Thursday in a swimming pool at the hotel hours after disappearing from her family without a trace.

The Guyana Police Force (GPF) in a statement Saturday said that investigators have contacted and questioned the proprietor of Double Day Hotel and bar and all employees who were present at the establishment on the day of the incident.  A number of police ranks of Region Three were also questioned, said police in a statement.

“In keeping with the Guyana Police Force’s Standard Operating Procedure, Assistant Commissioner Khalid Mandall, Commander of Regional Division #3, has been sent on administrative leave to facilitate the investigation. Additionally, three other ranks are under close arrest,” Police reported.

It was also noted that, in response to the family’s request for a pathologist of their choice to conduct the PME, the selected expert is expected to arrive in Guyana today. The examination will be carried out in collaboration with the Guyana Police Force’s assigned pathologist, Dr. Shubhakar Karra Paul.

Meanwhile, on Saturday morning, amid national outrage and growing calls for justice and transparency, President Irfaan Ali met with grieving relatives of the 11-year-old child and assured them that their request for an independent pathologist to conduct a Post Mortem Examination (PME) on the child is under active review.

The development follows the tragic discovery of Younge’s body on Thursday morning in the swimming pool of the Double Day Hotel in Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo, just hours after she was reported missing on Wednesday.  Her death has since sparked national outrage, with growing concerns over potential negligence and misconduct by those entrusted with her safety.

Taking that into account, Ali explained, “I have said there is absolutely no issue. All of us want the truth; there is absolutely no issue with the pathologist. Your lawyer sent a letter about an hour ago to Mr. McBean (Deputy Commissioner of Police Simon McBean) so the request in that letter is being reviewed now by the competent authorities and they will communicate with the lawyer on that.”

According to the President, the contents of the lawyer’s request have been forwarded to the Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Dr. Narine Singh, for necessary action. He emphasized that the government has no objection to the family’s request for transparency and fairness, stating, “I’ve asked the Police to make sure everything is videoed, no missteps, everything is videoed, everything is observed as much witness the family wants is there that is medically permissible, all of that and all their requests in terms of this post mortem to be honoured.”

President Ali further informed the family that Khalid Mandall, former Commander of Regional Division Three, has been placed on administrative leave to facilitate a thorough investigation. Additionally, the hotel’s owner and several staff members remain in police custody.

Notably, three ranks are under close arrest for questioning in relation to Younge’s incident.

During the exchange with President Ali, Younge’s mother, Amecia Simon, her aunt, Ameka Lewis, and grandmother reiterated their distrust in the police force and the family’s request for an independent pathologist and investigation.

Lewis voiced her frustration, stating, “The action, the resources that were used last night to clear that road at Leonora could have been used…to get my niece out of that building alive.”

The family’s grief has turned into determination as they continue to push for an independent investigation. They have already identified a foreign-based pathologist of their choice who is expected to arrive in Guyana on Sunday.

Addressing the family’s right to protest, President Ali said he had no objection to peaceful demonstrations but urged against road blockages. However, his remarks were swiftly challenged by Lewis, who pointed to past instances of his own participation in street protests.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Narine Singh, in a press release, said statements uttered by the family’s attorney, Darren Wade, are inaccurate and misleading.

The CMO highlighted the seriousness of the matter and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to full transparency in the ongoing investigation into the death of Younge.

The statement said, “While Guyana possesses local pathology expertise, the appointment of Dr. Paul underscores the administration’s intent to ensure impartiality and public confidence in the integrity of the investigative process.”

The CMO said that Dr. Paul, who is an international forensic pathologist, and will conduct the PME, is a highly experienced forensic pathologist with over 23 years in the field. He currently serves as Consultant Forensic Pathologist at the Forensic Sciences Centre under the Office of the Attorney General in Barbados, a position he has held since 2021.

Dr. Paul holds medical and forensic qualifications including an MBBS, MD, and DNB, and is a Member of the Faculty of Forensic & Legal Medicine of the Royal College of Physicians in the UK. He is registered with the Barbados Medical Council and is also certified to practice in Guyana.

Throughout his career, the CMO said that he has handled complex cases involving homicides, suicides, and drug-related deaths, and has worked across multiple jurisdictions including the United Kingdom, where he served from 2009 to 2021 as a Forensic Medical Examiner for various police forces and healthcare institutions.

The CMO asserted that Dr. Paul also has a strong academic background and previously assisted Guyanese authorities in identifying victims of the 2023 Mahdia Secondary School dormitory fire.

“I am confident that Dr. Paul’s qualifications, experience, and independence make him well-suited to provide a thorough, transparent, and accurate assessment in this deeply sensitive case,” the CMO further asserted.

 

 

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• Adrianna Younge, CMO, pathologist, police, President Irfaan Ali

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