‘We stand together with our Guyanese brothers & sisters’- VI Premier
The young girl’s body was discovered on April 24, 2025, in a swimming pool at the Double Day Hotel in Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo, a day after she was reported missing. Her death has ignited national outrage and protests in Guyana, with growing calls for justice and accountability.
A candlelight vigil held on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, at Cyril B. Romney Tortola Pier Park brought together elected officials, community members, and members of the Guyanese Association in the BVI in a poignant act of remembrance. The event, timed to coincide with the final day of Child Abuse Prevention Month, was organised by WINBVI and supported by various civic groups.
Among the elected representatives who attended were Premier and Minister of Finance, Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7); Minister for Health and Social Development Hon Vincent O. Wheatley (R9); Minister for Education, Youth Affairs, and Sports, Hon Sharie B. de Castro (AL); Junior Minister for Financial Services, Trade and Economic Development, Honourable Lorna G. Smith (AL); Junior Minister for Culture and Tourism, Hon Luce D. Hodge-Smith (R4), First District Representative Dr the Honourable Karl Dawson; and Opposition Leader Hon Myron V. Walwyn (R6).
Also in attendance was Governor Daniel Pruce.
Premier Wheatley, addressing the Territory on the Virgin Islands Voice, offered condolences and described the incident as one that has deeply affected both Guyana and the wider Caribbean.
'We Stand Together'
“I want to take this opportunity to express my sympathies to the family of Adriana Younge in Guyana, an 11-year-old girl who lost her life in tragic circumstances; We see Guyana as a country that is angered and they are also in anguish and of course Guyana is haunted.”
According to Premier Wheatley, “We stand together with our Guyanese brothers and sisters, whether they live here in the Virgin Islands or whether they are in Guyana or wherever they might be. We are one Caribbean people and we stand together and we join hands and hearts in this time of grief.”
The Premier described the vigil as “comforting” despite the painful circumstances, acknowledging the gathering’s symbolic importance stating, “even though we have these difficult circumstances, we have to be there for each other.”
The Minister for Health and Social Development, Hon Wheatley, also spoke about his participation at the vigil, echoing the sentiment of solidarity.
“It’s very unfortunate. I'm happy we could join together with the Guyanese diaspora and just join with them in sympathy and show our togetherness.”
Meanwhile, Junior Minister for Financial Services, Trade and Economic Development, Honourable Lorna G. Smith (AL), also shared emotional reflections on the occasion.
Organised by WINBVI
“I was also happy and sad to be with the people of Guyana. In fact, the people of the BVI and the Guyanese diaspora... at that sad occasion with the passing of Miss Younge, an 11-year-old.”
Hon Smith used the occasion on Virgin Islands Voice to highlight the timing of the event, marking the close of Child Abuse Prevention Month, and spoke to the broader hope for change. “We certainly hope that we will see a reduction or an end to this kind of sadness. When parents have to see their child buried... nothing could be sadder.”
The event was organised by WINBVI, together with the Guyanese diaspora as a vigil, “for us to send love and light to the families who would have lost a child to abuse, children living with mental and physical scars as a result of abuse, and (to send) a strong message to perpetrators of such acts that we join hearts and hands to call for justice and the cessation of abuse of any form.”
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