The murder of a 10-year-old girl who was found with her throat slit in her home has rocked a family-friendly community on the Gold Coast.
With its bustling weekly twilight market and million-dollar family homes, Emerald Lakes is the last place you’d expect to see a horror like this.
The suburb, a 10-minute drive from the Southport shopping district and Surfers Paradise, sits on an idyllic lakefront, with restaurants and cafes lining the waterside boulevard.
The area is popular with families because it is self-contained, with a dentist, doctor and shops on the doorstep.
The suburb even has a seven-metre replica of Michelangelo’s David facing the sea, where the houses are spread out on two smaller islands.
Nearby Emmanuel College caters for children from kindergarten to Year 12, while Carrara Stadium, just down the road, hosted the 2018 Commonwealth Games.
Central Place, where the horrific incident took place Tuesday night, is a quiet cul-de-sac shaded by rows of trees.
Neighbours spoke of their horror when news of the girl’s terrible death became known.
A 10-year-old girl was found dead in her home with her throat slit. Emergency services are seen at the scene
The suburb, just a 10-minute drive from the Southport shopping district and Surfers Paradise, sits on an idyllic lakefront, with restaurants and cafes lining the waterside boulevard.
The suburb even has a seven-metre replica of Michelangelo’s David on the shoreline.
Neighbor Chris Sydes told the alphabet He was ‘heartbroken’.
“It’s terrible news. We humans, we adults, we can understand it, but… a little child… that’s terrible.”
“It’s a terrible, terrible, terrible event that breaks your heart. It shouldn’t happen on this street.”
One woman wrote on a local community group: “I live just around the corner and I’m in total shock. My heart goes out to this family. I can’t imagine what they must be feeling. Rest in peace little angel.”
“This is my neighborhood, our community, I’m crying, I’m in shock, hug your loved ones even tighter, what is happening to this world? Rest in peace ANGEL, sending you all the love you deserve,” said another.
One shocked neighbour told the Courier Mail: “It’s usually very quiet around here.”
“I can’t believe it.”
One of the girl’s parents made the shocking discovery shortly after 6 p.m. on Tuesday.
Police and paramedics were called to the property but the girl could not be saved, despite desperate attempts to revive her.
Detective Inspector Lou Serafim said a male relative called triple zero after finding the girl dead.
Emerald Lakes is popular with families because it is self-contained, with a dentist, doctor and shops on the doorstep.
With its bustling weekly twilight market (pictured) and million-dollar family homes, Emerald Lakes is the last place you’d expect to see a horror like this.
Police and paramedics were called to the property but the girl could not be rescued.
Detective Inspector Lou Serafim said a male relative called triple zero after finding the girl dead.
“We are currently treating the death of the 10-year-old girl as suspicious and enquiries are currently underway in relation to the girl’s death,” said Inspector Serafim.
The triple-0 call was made by a relative who was at the scene of the incident when the 10-year-old girl was located.
“He’s a relative and he’s being very cooperative and helping police with the investigation.”
The man who made the emergency call was seen assisting police at the scene while wearing a blue forensic suit, the Courier mail reported.
No charges have been filed.
Inspector Serafim added that officers and paramedics were confronted with a “quite traumatic” scene.
Forensic officers were seen entering the home and a gazebo was set up outside the front.
The police have blocked the street.
One of the girl’s parents made the horrific discovery at a home in Emerald Lakes in Carrara on the Gold Coast shortly after 6pm on Tuesday.
“These officers and paramedics are receiving internal counseling in relation to the incident they were involved in.”
Several ambulances were seen outside the house on Tuesday night, while police blocked off the street.
Forensic officers were seen entering the home and a gazebo was set up outside the front.
A Queensland Police spokesman said: ‘Police have launched a homicide investigation following the death of a girl in Carrara this evening.
Emergency services were called to a residence on Central Place around 6 p.m.
‘A 10-year-old girl was found unconscious and pronounced dead at the scene.
‘The crime scene has been declared and investigations into the circumstances are ongoing.
‘There is no further information available at this time.’