A playful Lynae Brown smiles for the camera as she shows off her pink bike in the yard of her home.

The bike, fitted with trainer wheels, was a Christmas gift from her mom, Elaine, last year.

Yesterday the bike was still in the yard. But this time it was a symbol of tragedy, rather than a little girl's joy.

It will be a very different Christmas this year at Lynae's home at Tribe Road 1, Warwick -- one of memories and glancing at photographs of a five-year-old, who always appeared to live life with a smile on her face.

Lynae's grandparents, Allen and Meredith Brown, had last seen their grandchild alive at 5.45 p.m. on Tuesday. She was supposed to have been going to a candy store.

They saw her walking out the yard with her father, Damon DeRoza, who sometimes used the name Wolffe, but was known locally as "Snut''.

"She walked out the yard. She was so happy,'' Mrs. Brown said.

Just 75 minutes later, Lynae's body was pulled from the water off Hamilton Harbour, near Longford Road.

Twenty-year-old Ms Brown flew in yesterday from Jamaica to be greeted with the news of her daughter's death.

Last night the tragedy had still not fully sunk in and occasionally she brushed away a tear as she spoke to The Royal Gazette of her daughter.

They were of happy times. Times of Lynae learning to ride her bike in the yard, playing with her fluffy dog, Chase, and colouring puzzles.

"The last time I saw her was in the first week of September -- I did not even see her start school at Paget Primary,'' she said.

Ms Brown had gone to Jamaica to study business. Although physically separated, she kept in regular touch with Lynae by phone.

"I usually spoke to her twice a week. The last time I rang her was last week Wednesday.'' Lynae had been over the moon -- she was looking forward to seeing her mom again for Christmas. It was to have been a joyful family reunion.

"I was coming home on December 13. Lynae was all excited,'' said Ms Brown.

Tragedy, however, brought Ms Brown home earlier than planned.

"I received a phone call on Tuesday. I was in school in Kingston and my father told me to pack my bags and come home on the first flight to Bermuda as there had been an emergency.

"Somehow I knew something had happened to Lynae. I just knew it had to be her.'' Ms Brown said she was met at the Airport at noon yesterday by her father, Allen Brown, and the Police.

She was taken to one side where her father broke the news.

"He told me Lynae would no longer be with us and then said Lynae had died. He told me that three times.'' Family and friends yesterday called at Lynae's home to offer comfort and support.

One of Lynae's aunties, Yvonne Lightbourne, spoke of the "happy, go lucky'' little girl who had daily lit up the household.

"She was always so happy. She was a loving child and once she got to know you she would remember you. She was a `people's person'.'' Her other auntie, Allana, added: "Lynae stayed with all of us in this home.

"The family are now all behind her mother and helping her at this time.'' Lynae's funeral is expected to be next week.

RIDING HIGH -- Look no hands, well almost . . . little Lynae Brown on her bike, a Christmas present last year from her mom.