Friends rally to help distraught Yun Wang, dad of schoolgirl Sophie Wang allegedly murdered by her mother at Carrara on the Gold Coast
Friends and the community have stepped up to support the father of the 10-year-old schoolgirl, believed to have been murdered by her own mother.
Sophie Wang died on Tuesday, August 14, at her Emerald Lakes home on the Gold Coast in what detectives described as one of the “most disturbing” crime scenes they had ever seen.
The brutal death has shocked the close-knit local community of the fifth-year Emmanuel College student, who have now launched a fundraising campaign to support Sophie’s father and family.
‘Sophie Wang was a kind-hearted, hardworking and dedicated sweetheart at home. At school, she was known for her compassion, caring and cheerful spirit. Sophie had a deep love for reading, music and all things Harry Potter,’ the Gofundme page reads.
Her death has left her family broken and devastated, and her loss is deeply felt by her friends, colleagues, and the entire community.
‘Your generous contribution will give Sophie’s family the space to grieve, heal, and rebuild their lives without the immediate pressure of financial burdens.
“Every donation, no matter the size, makes a huge 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 on Tuesday, August 14, at her Emerald Lakes home on the Gold Coast in what was one of the “most confronting” crime scenes detectives had ever seen.
Sophie’s father, Yun Wang, a professor of natural sciences at Griffith University, arrived home at 6pm to find his daughter. He called 911, but despite the efforts of emergency services, she could not be saved.
Hours after finding his daughter, the associate professor donned a blue forensic suit and helped detectives reconstruct the alleged murder.
Police suspect the Grade 5 student’s mother, Yingying Xu, slit her daughter’s throat at their Emerald Lakes home in Carrara, on the Gold Coast, before fleeing.
Xu, 46, was arrested more than four hours later – at 10:25 p.m. – on a nearby street and charged with murder.
Detectives are investigating religious TikToks that Xu posted on the same day she allegedly murdered her own daughter.
Xu had posted three videos on the platform earlier on Tuesday in which she mumbles 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.”
Amanda, who lives across from Xu-Wang’s house, describes 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 recorder.”
‘I could always hear her making music from the street.
“She always walked to school and back. 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 Sophie was murdered by her own mother after they caught Xu near her home
Amanda, who has lived in the neighborhood for 12 years, says she didn’t notice anything unusual on the street until police swarmed the street around 6 p.m.
It wasn’t until the incident hit the news later that evening that she learned what had happened.
“I didn’t know the man, but I saw the woman walking in and out,” Amanda said.
‘She was very introverted. If you walked past her, she wouldn’t even say hello or anything.
“The whole community is in shock today.”
Community members came en masse to the house to lay flowers.
Classmate Oliver Hayes, 11, who arrived at the house with his mother and other school friends, said Sophie was academically talented.
“She was one of the smartest kids in our school,” Oliver told Daily Mail Australia.
“There are so many words to describe her. She was very kind, she really cared about people and she was very nice.”
Sophie’s classmates lay wreaths and flowers to mourn the death of the fifth grade student
Colleagues and teachers called Sophie a gifted and kind student as she struggled with the tragedy
Father Yun Wang (above) came home to find his daughter dead, while Sophie’s mother was gone
The tragedy also shocked staff at Griffith University, where Professor Wang works in the department of chemistry and forensic sciences, specialising in renewable energy.
“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.”
Emmanuel College Principal Dan Brown previously wrote a letter to the school community to express his condolences.
“It is with a heavy heart that I must inform you of a tragic incident that occurred last night at a home in Emerald Lakes, resulting in the death of one of our beloved students,” the letter reads.