Carrara alleged murder: Sophie Wang is seen smiling for her yearbook photo – before she was allegedly killed by her own mother in horror that has shocked Australia

A school yearbook photo of a young girl believed to have been murdered by her own mother has emerged as a devastated community prepares for a candlelight vigil in her memory.

Sophie Wang, 10, a Year 5 pupil at Emmanuel College, could not be resuscitated after emergency services rushed to her Emerald Lakes home in Carrara, Gold Coast, at around 6pm on Tuesday.

Her father had found the 10-year-old girl with her throat cut and had called 911.

Sophie’s 46-year-old mother, Yingying Xu, was arrested on a nearby street just before 10:30 p.m. and later charged with murder.

Following her tragic death, a class photo surfaced in a school yearbook showing Sophie sitting in the front row, smiling.

The heartbreaking memory of the bright and cheerful girl comes as grief-stricken locals prepare to honor Sophie.

This Friday from 4:00 PM there will be a candlelight vigil at Main Fountain at 3030 The Boulevard Emerald Lakes.

Relatives are requested to bring flowers and toys, but candles are also placed.

The crime scene still remains at the family’s home as grieving neighbors continue to try to come to terms with the horrific incident.

The floral splendor for Sophie continues to grow outside the house.

Neighbor Beverly Hanly, who has lived next door to the family for years, said she was shocked by Sophie’s death.

“They were wonderful, friendly and great neighbours,” Mrs Hanly told the Gold Coast Bulletin.

‘I spoke to them often and I knew them well.’

Mrs Hanly, who had become friends with the family, said she had not seen them recently because she, like her neighbours, had been busy.

“I never thought something like this would happen,” she said.

The community, which has been shaken by Sophie’s death, will hold a candlelight vigil in her honor on Friday afternoon (pictured: Sophie Wang)

Another resident, Kevin Cruikshank, described the situation as very sad for those involved.

“It’s very difficult… the family is very much like ours,” he told the ABC.

“You can only imagine how everyone in that family feels. It’s just a small gesture we can do to express our feelings.”

The aftermath of Sophie’s death is being felt across the community, including the AFL club Gold Coast Suns, whose stadium is located near Emerald Lakes.

“We have experienced a tremendous tragedy in the Gold Coast community … so on behalf of our football club we extend our condolences to all those affected,” said Suns coach Damien Hardwick.

On Thursday, pieces of Sophie’s school uniform were seen drying on the line on the balcony at the back of the house.

The community of Carrara and Emmanuel College, which is located 600 metres from the family home, are shocked and saddened by the horrific incident.

On Thursday, several children, accompanied by their parents, laid flowers at the crime scene on their way to school.

Staff from Emmanuel College were also seen laying tributes outside the house.

The street is still cordoned off with police tape and a large forensic investigation vehicle is parked outside the front door of the property. A team of officers were seen entering and leaving the suburban home on Thursday.

A mother whose daughter was in Sophie’s choir placed daffodils at the crime scene.

“Everyone is just in shock, no one will ever really understand. It’s so hard on the kids,” the mother of two said.

She told me that Sophie was a member of Emmanuel College’s reading club, a popular 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 really good reader,” the mother added.

Sophie Wang, a fifth-grader at Emmanuel College, is remembered by her classmates as smart and kind

Sophie’s 46-year-old mother, Yingying Xu (pictured), was arrested on a nearby street just before 10:30 p.m. and later charged with murder

In a heartbreaking reminder of the domestic tragedy, pieces of Sophie’s school uniform were seen hanging on a line to dry on the balcony at the back of the house (pictured)

Sophie’s classmate Oliver Hayes (pictured), 11, laid flowers outside her house on Wednesday afternoon with his mother and other school friends. ‘She was one of the brightest kids in our school,’ Oliver said

On Thursday morning, several children, accompanied by their parents, laid flowers at the crime scene on their way to school

Sophie’s classmate Oliver Hayes, 11, laid flowers outside her house the day before with his mother and other school friends.

“She was one of the smartest kids in our school,” Oliver said.

“There are so many words to describe her. She was very kind, she really cared about people and she was very nice.”

A neighbor 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 often saw her walking to and from school.

“I could always hear her making music,” Amanda told Daily Mail Australia.

“She always walked to school and back. She was very friendly and always said hello. A very friendly girl.”

Amanda said her grandson received guidance from the school.

“He always talked about Sophie. They got along really well,” she added.

Police tape continues to block the residential street and a large forensic police car is parked outside the front door of the property as a team of officers entered and exited the suburban home on Thursday morning (photo)

“It’s just so horrible. The school and the whole community is just in shock.”

On Wednesday, Daily Mail Australia reported that detectives are investigating religious TikToks made by Sophie’s mother on the same day she allegedly murdered her.

A day earlier, Xu had posted three videos on TikTok in which she mumbled to the camera in Chinese about religion.

In the excerpts, Xu talks about Christianity and how the “Trinity” is the “one true God” and “Jesus is the incarnate son of man.”

The videos are part of the investigation into the case, which veteran detectives have described as one of the “most confronting” they have ever seen.

“In my 15 years as a detective, this is one of the most confronting scenes I have ever seen,” Detective Chief Kent Ellis told reporters.

Associate Professor Yun Wang (pictured) arrived home on Tuesday night to find his daughter apparently murdered. Wearing a blue forensic suit, he helped police piece together what had allegedly happened just hours after her tragic death.

An Emanuel College staff member pays her respects Thursday after the little girl was allegedly murdered by her mother

The tragedy has also shocked staff at Griffith University, where Professor Wang works in the department of chemistry and forensic sciences, specialising in renewable energy.

Two male colleagues of Prof Wang came to the house with food on Wednesday afternoon, but were turned away by a police officer because the father was not there.

The university provides support to Prof. Wang and his close colleagues.

“We are deeply saddened by the tragic passing 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 has been remanded in custody and will appear in court on November 29.