Friends and community have come together to support the father of the 10-year-old girl allegedly murdered by her own mother.
Sophie Wang died at her home in Emerald Lakes on the Gold Coast on Tuesday, August 14, leaving behind one of the “most confronting” crime scenes detectives said they had ever seen.
The brutal death has shaken the close-knit local community of Emmanuel College Year 5 students, who have now organised a fundraiser to support Sophie’s father and family.
‘Sophie Wang was a kind, diligent and dedicated woman at home. At school, she was known for her compassion, caring and bright spirit. Sophie had a deep love of reading, music and all things Harry Potter,’ she said. Gofundme The page is read.
‘His passing has left his family heartbroken and devastated, and his loss is deeply felt by his friends, colleagues and the wider community.
‘Your generous contribution will allow Sophie’s family the space to grieve, heal and begin to rebuild their lives without the immediate pressure of financial burdens.
‘Every donation, no matter the size, will make a significant difference in supporting Sophie’s family during this time.’
The appeal has already raised more than $6,000 for the grieving family.
Friends and community have rallied to support the father of 10-year-old schoolgirl Sophie Wang, who was allegedly murdered by her own mother.
Sophie Wang died at her home in Emerald Lakes on the Gold Coast on Tuesday, August 14, leaving behind one of the “most confronting” crime scenes detectives said they had ever seen.
Sophie’s father Yun Wang, a science professor at Griffith University, arrived home at 6pm to find his daughter and called triple zero, but despite the efforts of paramedics, they were unable to save her.
Hours after finding his daughter, the associate professor donned a blue forensic suit and helped detectives reconstruct the suspected murder.
Police will allege the fifth-year student’s mother, Yingying Xu, slashed her daughter’s throat at their Emerald Lakes home in Carrara on the Gold Coast before fleeing the scene.
Xu, 46, was arrested on a nearby street more than four hours later at 10:25 p.m. and was later charged with murder.
Detectives are investigating religious TikToks Xu posted on the same day he allegedly killed his own daughter.
Xu had posted three videos on the platform on Tuesday morning, showing her mumbling in Chinese about religion.
In the clips, Xu talks about Christianity and how the “trinity” is the “only true god” and “Jesus is the incarnate son of man.”
Amanda, who lives across the street from Xu-Wang’s home, described Sophie as a “very friendly girl.”
“She was in the same class as my grandson. He always talked about her and they got on really well,” Amanda told Daily Mail Australia.
‘They were in the orchestra together. My grandson played the violin and she played the piano and the recorder.’
‘I could always hear her playing music from the street.
“She was always walking to and from school. She was very friendly and always said hello. A very friendly girl.”
Yingying Xu (above) allegedly slit her daughter’s throat after posting bizarre videos online
Detectives will allege that Sophie was murdered by her own mother after Xu was caught near the house.
Amanda, who has lived in the area for 12 years, said she didn’t notice anything unusual happening on the street until police officers swarmed the street around 6 p.m.
It wasn’t until the incident appeared on the news later that night that she learned what had happened.
“I didn’t know the husband, but I saw the wife come in and out,” Amanda said.
‘She was very self-absorbed, when you walked past her she wouldn’t say hello or anything.
“The whole community is in shock today.”
Community members flocked to the house to lay floral offerings outside.
Her classmate Oliver Hayes, 11, who came to the house with his mother and other school friends, said Sophie was academically talented.
“She was one of the smartest girls in our school,” Oliver told Daily Mail Australia.
“There are so many words to describe her. She was so nice, she cared so much about people and she was so kind.”
Sophie’s classmates laid wreaths and left flowers to mourn the fifth-grader’s death.
Her peers and teachers called Sophie a talented and kind student as they grappled with the tragedy.
Father Yun Wang (above) came home to find his daughter dead, while Sophie’s mother was away.
The tragedy also shook staff at Griffith University, where Professor Wang works in the department of chemistry and forensic science, specialising in renewable energy.
“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.”
Emmanuel College Principal Dan Brown previously wrote a letter to the school community to share his condolences.
“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.
