The devastated father of a girl who was allegedly murdered by her mother has been given the heartbreaking task of helping detectives comb through the crime scene.
Hours after arriving home at 6pm to find his daughter dead, Professor Yun Wang donned blue forensic clothing and helped detectives piece together the suspected murder of 10-year-old Sophie Wang.
Senior detectives described the crime scene as one of the “most shocking” they have ever seen.
Police will allege Sophie’s mother, Yingying Xu, slit her own throat inside her Emerald Lakes home in Carrara on the Gold Coast sometime earlier on Tuesday before fleeing the scene.
Xu, 46, was arrested on a nearby street more than four hours later at 10:25 p.m. and has since been charged with murder.
Sophie’s death has rocked the close-knit local community, particularly Emmanuel College, where she was a fifth-year student and which is located just 600 metres from her home.
Sophie’s classmate Oliver Hayes, 11, left flowers outside her home 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.”
Associate Professor Yun Wang (pictured) arrived home to find his daughter allegedly murdered on Tuesday night.
Sophie Wang was a fifth-year student at Emmanuel College.
Professor Wang’s colleagues are pictured speaking to detectives at the crime scene on Wednesday.
The tragedy has also shaken staff at Griffith University, where Associate Professor Wang works in the Department of Chemistry and Forensic Science.
Two male colleagues of Professor Wang were seen visiting the crime scene on Wednesday morning and speaking to officers.
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.”
Professor Wang, who specialises in renewable energy, has worked at the university in various roles since 2010 after moving to the Gold Coast from Sydney.
Acting Detective Inspector Kent Ellis said Queensland Police were keeping the family and community in their thoughts during this “tragic” and “distressing” time.
“In my 15 years as a detective, it’s one of the most shocking scenes I’ve ever seen,” Acting Inspector Ellis told reporters on Wednesday.
‘Despite the efforts of her father and emergency services, the 10-year-old girl was declared dead by paramedics who responded to the scene.
“An investigation was immediately launched and as a result the girl’s mother was charged with her murder.”
Grieving community members left flowers at the scene of the alleged murder.
Police officers are seen carrying brown evidence bags from the unit in Carrara on the Gold Coast on Wednesday.
Forensic officers are seen arriving at the home in Carrara on Wednesday after the alleged murder.
Mr Ellis declined to comment on whether Xu had a history of mental health problems.
The 46-year-old woman was due to appear at Southport Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday morning.
She did not appear in person and a police request to suppress names and details of the case was later withdrawn following opposition from lawyers and media outlets.
Xu was remanded in custody and is due to appear again on November 29.
Emmanuel College Principal Dan Brown wrote a letter to the school community on Wednesday morning to share his condolences.
Detectives and police are seen speaking to members of the public at the scene in Carrara.
Queensland Police officers are seen in the unit where the 10-year-old boy was found.
Police are seen at the scene of the young woman’s death in Carrara on the Gold Coast on Wednesday.
A 46-year-old woman was arrested and charged with murder. Police were seen at the scene on Wednesday
“It is with great sadness that I inform you of a tragic incident that occurred last night at a home in Emerald Lakes, resulting in the passing of one of our beloved students,” the letter said.
We are devastated by this incident and know it will have a profound impact on our school community.
‘Our prayers go out to the boy’s family and friends, and we extend our deepest condolences to all those affected by this tragedy.’
Counselling and grief support services have been provided to students.
“Our priority is the well-being of our students and staff, and we will do everything we can to support our community in the days ahead,” Brown said.
‘Rest assured that we are here for everyone in our community – students, staff and parents – and these support services are available to anyone who needs them.
‘While words cannot ease the shock and pain of such a tragic loss, please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you all.’
The university said in a statement: ‘Our priority is to support our community during this difficult time.
‘We have mobilised our counselling and pastoral care teams to provide comprehensive support to students, staff and parents as our community deals with this distressing news.
Queensland Police Inspector Lou Serafim said officers had come across a “pretty traumatic” scene.
Paramedics were called to the scene but the girl could not be saved.
The girl’s father is believed to have found her at his home in Emerald Lakes, Carrara, shortly after 6pm on Tuesday.
‘We ask for your understanding and respect for the privacy of our families and students at this time.’
Emmanuel College, where fees cost up to $13,000 for students in years 10 to 12, counts recent Olympic gold medalist swimmer Cameron McEvoy as one of its alumni.
The school has a notable sports program, and athletic performance director David Reid recently attended the Paris games as Australia’s relay coach.
Inspector Serafim said police officers and paramedics were confronted with a “quite traumatic” scene.
“These officers and paramedics are receiving internal counselling in relation to the incident they were involved in,” he said.
Several ambulances were seen outside the house on Tuesday night as police blocked off the street.
Forensic officers were seen entering the home and a gazebo was set up outside the front.
Police remain at the scene on Wednesday.
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