Adeel Ahmed, a 22-year-old resort worker and the youngest son of a single mother, died under unexplained circumstances on August 23, just weeks after starting a new job. Adeel had entered the workforce after completing his O-levels at K. Guraidhoo School, determined to ease the burden on his mother, Naajidha Hassan, and support his family.

Now, more than a week later, Adeel’s body remains in the morgue. His grieving family has yet to receive any official explanation for his sudden death, nor have they been allowed to bury him. Speaking to RaajjeMV, Naajidha expressed frustration, heartbreak, and growing suspicion over what she alleges is a lack of transparency, and possibly a cover-up.

Naajidha says the Maldives Police Service (MPS) informed her of Adeel’s death on August 23 but told her there were elements that required investigation, resulting in the body being withheld. Since then, she claims, authorities have failed to provide any updates or meaningful communication. Repeated requests for information have gone unanswered, she said.

“I’m pleading, please don’t harm my child further. Just return his body,” she said tearfully, calling for the return of not just her son’s remains, but also his personal belongings, including his phone and clothing, which have also not been returned to the family.

Naajidha rejects circulating rumors that her son may have died by suicide. Describing him as a strong, hopeful young man, she said he was deeply connected to his siblings and would have spoken up if he had been struggling. “He always shared what was on his mind. He had dreams for the future,” she said.

She also raised concerns that the lack of response from authorities and the resort may be due to the family's socio-economic status. “If we were a different kind of family, would we be treated like this?” she asked.

The resort where Adeel had been working has not cooperated with the family, according to Naajidha, and has not issued any statement or assistance following the incident.

In response to media queries, the police institution confirmed they had received information regarding a young man’s death at a resort and said they would provide further details once the matter is reviewed. However, no updates have been publicly released as of this report.

With no official cause of death, no returned belongings, and no timeline for the release of Adeel’s body, the family continues to wait, grieving without answers, and fearing that justice may never come.