FAYE Swetlik’s grandma posted heartbreaking footage of her singing “You Are My Sunshine” before her body was found next to a dead man.
Ruth Collins shared the tragic video on Facebook before the six-year-old’s remains were discovered near the Churchill Heights neighborhood of Cayce in South Carolina on Thursday.
Faye can be seen happily singing the well-known song in the video – before tragedy struck the Swetlik family this week.
The little girl looks towards the camera as she sings the poignant lines “don’t take my sunshine away” after a prompt from her grandmother.
The song’s message is especially tragic in light of the ongoing investigation.
Faye disappeared after being last seen on Monday playing in her front yard at Londonderry Lane in Cayce, just off Highway 302.
Local cops assisted by the FBI discovered her remains near the body of an adult man after she vanished three days ago.
The area has since been seal off today, according to WIS News 10. Cops said there is no threat to the community.
The Lexington Coronar’s office confirmed an autopsy will be conducted on Saturday as tributes poured in.
Local resident Connie Mattox told WIS News that she was praying for Faye “every day.”
“When I heard about the male there – that was more confusing.”
George Vinson, who also lives nearby, added: “I’m always telling folks to watch out for their kids. It’s a crazy world, man.”
“People are doing some crazy things. Kids are innocent. It’s sad that it happened.”
South Carolina women’s basketball coach Dawn Staley wrote on Twitter that “our community is devastated to hear about the death of 6yo Faye Swetlik.”
“We prayed for a different outcome but our hearts are filled with sorrow.
“This senselessness must stop. Godspeed to her family, friends and community.”
Sen. Lindsey Graham wrote: “Like all South Carolinians, I was heartbroken to hear the news about the death of Faye Swetlik.
“I pray for the family of this beautiful young girl as they deal with this horrific tragedy.”
Vice President Mike Pence also expressed his condolences to the family, according to Fox News.
Cayce Department of Public Safety Director Byron Snellgrove said “it is with extremely heavy hearts we announce we have found the body of Faye Marie Swetlik.”
“This community has been working hard to find Faye, and bring her home safely,” an emotional Snellgrove said at the afternoon conference.
“We wanted you to know as soon as possible.”
The Department of Public Safety said this evening that it is working closely with the coroner’s office, “who will be providing updates related to their role in the investigation.”
“We would like to remind you that our investigators are processing a large amount of physical evidence.
“This is a highly methodical process, so please bear with us as we will continue to communicate with you as much as possible and in the same manner for which you have become accustomed.
“As we weep, we work.”
Snellgrove said Lexington County Coroner Margaret Fisher confirmed Faye’s identity today.
The visibly upset officer didn’t specify the exact location where the first grader was found after a traumatic three-day probe.
He also announced cops would be investigating the second body found during the search.
The dead man’s identity hasn’t been officially confirmed.
Faye’s untimely death is being treated as a homicide, cops say, and no arrests have been made.
Authorities said Faye’s mother was at home when she disappeared and family “lost track” of her, Fox 13 reports.
The publication reports vehicles were towed from the family home.
Faye had just gotten off the school bus hours before she disappeared without a trace.
The horrific news comes after cops were looking to identify a silver vehicle as officers combed the neighborhood for answers.
A tip helped authorities identify one car as they continued to search the Churchill Heights neighborhood of Cayce before little Faye was found.
They also released haunting footage of the little girl getting off the bus – hours before she vanished.
Investigators who spoke to her mother, dad, and her mom’s boyfriend say they are cooperating with the investigation.
The Swetlik family told ABC News they were desperate to find their “bubbly and happy little girl.”
Local cops assisted by the FBI used helicopters, tracking dogs and conducted door-to-door inquiries to find her.
An Amber Alert wasn’t issued because there were no signs of an abduction “at the time,” reports say.
Community members were asked to check their RING doorbell footage as cops probe for clues during the harrowing investigation.
The tragedy has rocked the close-knit Cayce community where a vigil at Trinity Baptist Church was held on Tuesday for her safe return.
If you have any information, the Public Safety department’s hotline is still ongoing 1-803-205-4444.
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