GEORGETOWN, Guyana (CMC) – The family of an 11-year-old girl, whose body was found in a swimming pool at a hotel late last month in Guyana, and whose death caused the government to institute a four-and-a-half-hour curfew following protest action, says the funeral planned for Monday has been postponed.

In a message posted on her Facebook page, Amecia Simon gave no date as to when the funeral of Adriana Younge would now take place.

“Due to ongoing matters and our family’s need for space and clarity as we grieve, we have made the painful decision to postpone Adriana’s funeral today,” she said, adding that a new date will be provided in due course, once we are able to.””

The mother said the decision to postpone the funeral was difficult, but the need for “peace” was among the key reasons.

“Please know this was not easy, but we want to honour her with the peace, love and the dignity she deserves,” she said, thanking members of the population for their outpouring of sympathy.

”My heart is shattered beyond words. As a mother, there is no pain greater than losing your child – she was my heartbeat, my everything. My precious Adriana was the light of our lives, and in this unbearable moment, we are clinging to the love she gave so freely and the memories that will live with us forever.

“I want to take this moment through my tears and brokenness, to thank each and every one of you near and far who have stood with our family during this impossible time. The support you all have shown us, the messages, prayers, hugs and tears shared with us- they have held us up when we thought we couldn’t stand. I’ve felt the arms of this nation around me and I am so deeply grateful,” she said.

Earlier, the United States Ambassador to Guyana, Nicole Theriot, appealed for peace and the rule of law, adding, “I express my heartfelt condolences following the tragic death of Adrianna Younge and share my deep concern and sorrow over the crisis and civil unrest that have happened in Guyana.

“I encourage all Guyanese citizens to remain calm and voice their concerns through non-violent means and to adhere to the rule of law. Looting and destruction of property are harmful to all. I strongly urge all involved to commit to peace as the Government works to resolve the situation.

“The United States remains committed to supporting the people of Guyana, our shared democratic principles, and the country’s continued stability and prosperity,” Theriot said.

Last week, the government had announced a four and a half hour curfew and the order, which was gazetted last Tuesday, stated that there shall be no public meetings, gatherings, and assemblies of persons, procession or marches in any public space during the hours of 12:30 am and 5:00 am (local time),

An autopsy conducted by three internationally respected pathologists last week, has concluded that Younge died by drowning, but there have been calls for an international probe into the death of the child with several political parties and civil society actors dismissing a report from President Irfaan Ali that Younge did not die from “forceful drowning”.

Citing a lack of confidence in the Guyana Police Force (GPF), the family and the opposition have called for an international probe after the child’s body was found in a pool at the Double Day Hotel, Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo, under controversial circumstances.

A GPF statement stated that she had been seen on government video surveillance cameras entering an identifiable car.

The Ministry of Home Affairs on Sunday warned that the government would not tolerate any disruptions at the time of Younge’s funeral.

“The Guyana Police Force, with the full support of the Joint Services, is on alert to respond to specific and general requests to calls for service from the public to assure calm and security,” the ministry said.

It reminded citizens of the need to enable “a non-disruptive, safe and respectful atmosphere, on May 5, 2025 “Arrival Day”, sufficiently conducive to enabling the funeral arrangements for Younge, as well as the successful commencement of sittings of the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) examinations…and the full return to safe and normal undertakings throughout the country”.