A school friend of the 10-year-old girl allegedly murdered by her own mother has written a heartbreaking tribute to the “shy but incredibly sweet and kind” victim.
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 academic father, Associate Professor Yun Wang, found the 10-year-old girl with her throat allegedly 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.
On Friday morning, Emmanuel College held an emotional “moment of reflection and prayer for Sophie’s family, her friends, our community and all who have been affected by this tragedy” ahead of her chapel service.
Grieving children laid flowers, candles and emotional messages for their classmate, who was previously described as the “smartest girl in school”.
Kayla, whose younger brother Luke was in Sophie’s grade, said she had described her as “a little bit shy, but incredibly sweet and 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.
On Friday morning, Emmanuel College held an emotional “moment of reflection and prayer for Sophie’s family, her friends, our community and all who have been affected by this tragedy” ahead of her chapel service.
Grieving children laid flowers, candles and emotional messages for their classmate, who was previously described as the “smartest girl in school”.
“All of us here at Emmanuel are devastated and deeply saddened that we have lost a beautiful and wonderful little girl who would have had a bright future if she had not been taken so soon,” Kayla’s letter read.
‘I hope that wherever you are now, you are happy and prosperous.’
Teresa, a “second-year classmate” of Sophie’s, said she had a “pretty and cheerful face.”
“I’m so sorry this happened to you and I hope the pain has eased and you are safe,” Teresa wrote.
She added: “Can you see all the beautiful flowers people gave you? They are so pretty! I hope they are cheering you up.”
Holding back tears, Emmanuel College principal Dan Brown described Sophie as a “great young lady” and said the school was “completely devastated” by her loss.
“She was a great friend, she was known for being compassionate and caring,” he said.
In a heartbreaking reminder of the domestic tragedy, some items from little Sophie’s school uniform could be seen drying on a clothesline on the back balcony of the house on Thursday.
Pictured: A vigil at Emmanuel College held ahead of Friday morning church service in the school chapel.
Teresa, a “second-year classmate” of Sophie’s, said she had a “pretty and cheerful face.”
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.
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.”
On Thursday morning, several children accompanied by their parents left flowers at the scene on their way to school.
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.
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).
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.”
Sophie’s mother, Yingying Xu (pictured), 46, was arrested on a nearby street shortly before 10.30pm and later charged with murder.
Amanda said her grandson was receiving counseling at school.
“He always talked about Sophie. They got along very well,” she added.
“It’s terrible. The school and the entire community are in a state of shock.”
A mother whose daughter was in Sophie’s choir placed daffodils at the site on Thursday afternoon.
“Everyone is in shock, no one will ever understand. It’s very hard for the children,” said the mother of two.
She revealed that Sophie was in the Emmanuel College book club, a flagship program for children who have read more than a million words.
“We often saw her reading in the library in the mornings. She was a great reader,” added her mother.
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)
An Emanuel College staff member pays his respects after the girl was allegedly murdered by her mother.
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.
The tragedy has also shaken staff at Griffith University, where Sophie’s father, 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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