A third expert pathologist has now joined the team assigned to the much-anticipated autopsy of 11-year-old Adrianna Younge.
Dr Glenn A. Rudner, a distinguished forensic pathologist from the renowned Mount Sinai Hospital in New York, will arrive in Guyana on Sunday evening to join the team.
Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony confirmed the development, noting Dr Rudner’s credentials have already been submitted to the Guyana Medical Council, which granted him a temporary licence to practice locally.
Dr Rudner brings over two decades of experience in forensic pathology. He holds a medical degree and two prior science degrees from Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan. He is a diplomate of both the United States Medical Licensing Examination and the American Board of Pathology, certified in both Anatomic and Forensic Pathology. His professional medical licence is registered in New York under MD 246708.
Dr Rudner joins two other forensic experts already involved in the case: Dr Shubhakar Karra Paul, the government-appointed international pathologist from Barbados, and Dr Gary L. Collins, Chief Medical Examiner for the State of Delaware, who was chosen by Adrianna Younge’s family to represent their interests.
Dr Paul, who arrived in Guyana last Thursday, was initially expected to perform the autopsy. However, following his arrival, the Younge family requested that their own independent expert also be present. This led to a postponement of the autopsy, originally scheduled for Friday morning.
11-year-old Adrianna Younge, whose tragic death has sparked national outrage and demands for justice across Guyana
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Dr Collins, the family’s choice, is a highly respected forensic pathologist with degrees from the University of the West Indies and multiple board certifications in Forensic, Anatomic, and Clinical Pathology. He currently serves as Chief Medical Examiner in Delaware and is fully licensed in several jurisdictions, including Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Delaware, and Pennsylvania.
According to Attorney Darren Wade, who represents the Younge family, documentation for Dr Collins’ temporary accreditation was submitted to the Guyana Medical Council on Saturday night. His approval is pending but expected before the autopsy proceeds on Monday.
In a meeting with President Irfaan Ali on Thursday, the family and state officials reached an agreement: while the autopsy remains a state function, the family’s pathologist would be allowed to observe the process to ensure transparency and independent oversight.
President Ali, acknowledging the sensitivity of the case, reiterated that while Guyana has competent national pathologists, the involvement of external experts is important under the circumstances. “The family’s pathologist is to ensure they have full representation,” the President stated.
As preparations continue for Monday’s autopsy, Dr Collins has already requested that preliminary imaging be conducted before his arrival. These include a full skeletal survey — X-rays of Adrianna’s entire body to detect any fractures — and a full-body CT scan to identify internal injuries or abnormalities.
Dr Paul, meanwhile, is no stranger to high-profile forensic work in Guyana. He previously assisted with the identification of victims from the tragic Mahdia Secondary School dormitory fire in 2023. A graduate of Karnatak University with further specialisation from Manipal University and the National Board in New Delhi, Dr Paul is also a member of the Faculty of Forensic & Legal Medicine at the Royal College of Physicians in the UK.
With three certified forensic experts now involved, speculation is mounting over who will actually lead the post-mortem. What is clear is that the presence of multiple observers is intended to ensure the process is carried out with the utmost integrity and impartiality.
The autopsy is set to proceed on Monday.
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