Police commander sent home, others detained over Adrianna’s death
Controversial Assistant Commissioner of Police Khalid Mandall has been sent on administrative leave, while three other unnamed ranks are under close arrest, as police intensify their investigations into the death of 11-year-old Adriana Younge.
A statement released on Saturday April 26, 2025 by the Guyana Police Force said that Mandall, who had headed Regional Division #3, has been sent on administrative leave “in keeping with the Guyana Police Force’s Standard Operating Procedure to facilitate the investigation.”
Mandall had spearheaded operations at the Double Day Hotel when Younge’s relatives had repeatedly pleaded for police to conduct a thorough search of the building but those pleads were denied.
Relatives were adamant that the child was still on the hotel’s premises but the police disallowed them from searching.
A police statement then said the child boarded a car and left the facility. That report was fed to Force Headquarters by Mandall’s subordinates at the time. However hours later, the remains of the 11 Year Old were pulled from the pool which was earlier searched and unearthed no signs of her.
The calls for Mandall to go home were many and provoked protest action after the police and state did not budge. On Friday the police announced that Mandall was now transferred Regional Division 4-B which he previously held.
This action further angered the citizens and under pressure, the police buckled and send Mandall Home citing procedures in-keeping with the Standard Orders.
The update on the case stated that investigators have questioned the proprietor of Double Day Hotel and all employees who were present at the establishment on the day of the incident.
A number of police ranks of Regional Division #3 were also questioned.
“At this juncture, the investigators are still interviewing persons who can assist with the investigations.” The police statement mentioned.
“The family of Adriana has identified a pathologist of their choice, who is expected to arrive in Guyana on Sunday, April 27, to perform the post-mortem examination with the Guyana Police Force’s independent pathologist. The post-mortem examination is a critical aspect of the investigation to confirm the cause of death of Adriana Younge.
The 11-year-old was found dead in the Double Day Hotel on Thursday, April 24, a day after she was reported missing, after she and family members went for an outing at the Tuschen, East bank Essequibo premises.
