GEORGETOWN, Guyana (CMC) – The leader of Guyana’s Alliance for Change (AFC), Nigel Hughes, said Tuesday that while the pathologists’ preliminary findings in the death of 11-year-old Adriana Younge indicate that her cause of death was drowning, “it is clear that many questions remain unanswered”.

In a statement, Hughes, an attorney, said while the report “provides an important first step in understanding the circumstances surrounding her tragic passing”, the party is reiterating “the urgent need for a full, thorough, and transparent investigation to determine how and why Adrianna drowned”.

The body of the 11-year-old was found in the pool of the Double Day Hotel at Tuschen last Thursday, and her father, Subrayn Younge, has since pleaded with the population for peace and an end to violence in the wake of widespread fiery protests that escalated on Monday.

In a social media post, Younge said the family was told that his daughter died by drowning, but that other tests will be done on samples taken from her lungs. He said his daughter was not a violent person and would not have approved of the acts of violence taking place as part of protests in her name.

In his statement, Hughes said that the AFC is also “strongly” condemning the acts of violence, the destruction of property, the looting, and the blocking of public roads that have followed the announcement of these findings.

“These actions undermine the cause of justice and do not honour Adriana’s memory. Violence, lawlessness, and disorder must never be the response to grief or outrage. Not in Adriana Younge’s name.

“Her life, her dignity, and her legacy demand better — from all of us. We call on all citizens to act peacefully and lawfully as we continue to seek the full truth about her death. Justice must be pursued with resolve, but always with respect for the rule of law and the rights of all.

We stand firmly committed to ensuring that Adriana’s passing is neither forgotten nor misused — and that true accountability is achieved,” Hughes added.

Meanwhile, President Irfaan Ali said his administration has been told to limit access to certain media content on the Internet, but he was careful not to specify the types of sites he was referring to.

“One international specialist told me it’s maybe a good time also to review the openness- when I say openness, not the freedom of media- but the openness of access to media on these sites and the responsibility, also, that is enshrined to everyone,” he told a news conference on Monday night to announce the findings of the autopsy on Younge.

Ali said that “very deep-seated issues” such as restricting access to certain sites would be part of a difficult conversation for Guyanese, telling reporters “you know if someone goes there and portrays a certain reality, then that influences so we have to, as a country, be mature enough to recognise all of these issues”.

Over the past few days, people have taken to social media calling for the destruction of property and the killing of top government officials. Police have since issued wanted bulletins for many of them.

Many of those on the bulletin were captured on CCTV cameras setting fire on various streets during Monday night protests, while others were fingered in robberies and lootings, and others are wanted over statements made on social media, encouraging people to protest by setting the streets alight.