A heartbreaking reminder of the 10-year-old girl allegedly murdered by her own mother remains on the balcony of her home, as she is remembered as the “smartest person” at her school.
Sophie Wang, a fifth-year student at Emmanuel College, was unable to be rescued by paramedics after they rushed to her home at Emerald Lakes, in Carrara, on the Gold Coast, shortly after 6pm on Tuesday.
Her father found the 10-year-old girl with her throat supposedly slit and called triple zero.
Sophie’s mother, Yingying Xu, 46, was arrested on a nearby street shortly before 10.30pm and later charged with murder.
In a heartbreaking reminder of the domestic tragedy, some of Sophie’s school uniform items could be seen drying on a clothesline on the back balcony of the house.
Sophie’s classmate Oliver Hayes, 11, left flowers outside her home on Wednesday afternoon with his mother and other school friends.
“She was one of the smartest girls in our school,” Oliver said.
“There are so many words to describe her. She was so nice, she cared so much about people and she was so kind.”
Sophie Wang, a fifth-year student at Emmanuel College, could not be rescued by paramedics after they rushed to her home at Emerald Lakes, in Carrara, on the Gold Coast, shortly after 6pm on Tuesday. Her schoolmates remembered her as bright and kind.
Sophie’s mother, Yingying Xu (pictured), 46, was arrested on a nearby street shortly before 10.30pm and later charged with murder.
The Carrara community and Emmanuel College, whose grounds are just metres from Wang-Xu’s home, are dealing with shock and grief in the wake of the horrific incident.
On Thursday morning, several children accompanied by their parents left flowers at the scene on their way to school.
Police tape still blocks off the residential street and a large forensic criminal van sits outside the property’s front gate, while a team of officers could be seen entering and exiting the suburban home on Thursday morning.
Oliver Hayes (pictured), a classmate of Sophie’s 11-year-old, left flowers outside her home on Wednesday afternoon with his mother and other school friends. “She was one of the smartest girls in our school,” Oliver said.
On Thursday morning, several children accompanied by their parents left flowers at the scene on their way to school.
This comes as a candlelight vigil is being held in memory of Sophie on Friday at 4 p.m. next to the Main Fountain at Emerald Lakes.
A neighbour who lived across the street from where the tragedy occurred described Sophie as a “very friendly girl”.
Amanda, 68, said she was in the same class as her grandson and used to watch her walk to and from school.
“I could always hear her playing music,” Amanda told Daily Mail Australia.
“She was always walking to and from school. She was very friendly and always said hello. A very friendly girl.”
Amanda said her grandson was receiving counseling at school.
“He always talked about Sophie. They got along very well,” she added.
In a heartbreaking reminder of the domestic tragedy, some of Sophie’s school uniform items could be seen drying on the clothesline on the balcony at the back of the house (pictured).
Police tape remains blocking off the residential street and a large forensic criminal van sits outside the front gate of the property, as a team of officers could be seen entering and leaving the suburban home on Thursday morning (pictured)
“It’s terrible. The school and the entire community are in a state of shock.”
On Tuesday night, Daily Mail Australia revealed that detectives are investigating religious TikToks Sophie’s mother made on the same day she allegedly killed her.
Earlier on Tuesday, Xu had posted three videos on TikTok in which he mumbled to the camera about religion in Chinese.
In the clips, Xu talks about Christianity and how the “trinity” is the “only true god” and “Jesus is the incarnate son of man.”
The videos will form part of the investigation into the case, which seasoned detectives have described as one of the “most confrontational” they have ever seen.
“In my 15 years as a detective, this is one of the most shocking scenes I have ever seen,” Acting Inspector Kent Ellis told reporters on Wednesday.
Associate Professor Yun Wang (pictured) arrived home on Tuesday evening to find his daughter allegedly murdered. He put on a blue forensic suit and was helping police piece together what allegedly happened just hours after her tragic death.
The tragedy has also shaken staff at Griffith University, where Professor Wang works in the department of chemistry and forensic science, specialising in renewable energy.
Two male colleagues of Professor Wang arrived at the house on Wednesday afternoon with food, but were turned away by an officer who told them the father was not there.
The university is offering support to Professor Wang and his close colleagues.
“We are deeply saddened to learn of the tragic death of the daughter of a valued member of the Griffith community,” the university said in a statement.
“Our thoughts are with the family and friends at this incredibly difficult time.”
Xu was remanded in custody and will appear in court again on November 29.
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