The murder of a 10-year-old girl found with her throat slit in her home has shocked a family-friendly Gold Coast community.
With its bustling weekly twilight market and million-dollar family homes, Emerald Lakes is not the place you would expect to find such a horror scene.
The suburb, just a 10-minute drive from Southport CBD and Surfers Paradise, is situated on an idyllic lake, with restaurants and cafes lining the waterfront promenade.
The area is popular with families as it is self-sufficient, with a dentist, doctor and shops on the doorstep.
The neighborhood even features a seven-meter-high replica of Michelangelo’s David on the waterfront, where the houses stretch across two smaller islands.
Nearby Emmanuel College provides education for children from nursery to year 12, and the nearby Carrara Stadium was used as a venue for the 2018 Commonwealth Games.
Central Place, where the horrific incident took place on Tuesday evening, is a quiet cul-de-sac shaded by rows of trees.
Neighbours spoke of their horror when news of the girl’s horrific death emerged.
A 10-year-old girl has been found dead in her home with her throat cut. Emergency services are on the scene
The precinct – just a 10-minute drive from Southport CBD and Surfers Paradise – is set on an idyllic lake, with restaurants and cafes lining the waterfront promenade
The neighborhood even has a seven-meter-long replica of Michelangelo’s David on the waterfront
Neighbor Chris Sydes told the ABC He had a ‘broken heart’.
“It’s just terrible news. People, adults, you can understand it, a little bit, but… a little child. That’s terrible.
“It’s just a horrible, horrible incident, horrible, it breaks your heart. Shouldn’t happen on this street.”
One woman wrote in a local community group: ‘I live nearby and I am in complete shock. My condolences go out to this family. I can’t imagine what they must be feeling. Rest in peace little angel.’
“This is my neighborhood, our community, I am crying, total shock, hold your loved ones even closer, what is happening to this world! RIP ANGEL, sending you all the love you deserve,” another said.
A shocked neighbour told the Courier Mail: ‘It’s normally very quiet here.’
“I can’t believe it.”
One of the girl’s parents made the shocking discovery Tuesday evening just after 6 p.m.
Police and ambulance were sent to the house but the girl could not be saved despite desperate attempts to resuscitate her.
Detective Inspector Lou Serafim said a male relative called Triple-Zero after finding the girl dead.
Emerald Lakes is popular with families because it is self-contained, with a dentist, doctor and shops on the doorstep
With its bustling weekly twilight market (pictured) and $1 million family homes, Emerald Lakes is the last place you’d expect something this terrible to happen
Police and emergency services were called to the building, but the girl could not be saved
Detective Lou Serafim said a male relative called Triple-Zero after finding the girl dead
“At this time we are treating the death of the 10-year-old girl as suspicious and an investigation into the girl’s death is ongoing,” said Inspector Serafim.
‘The triple-0 report was made by a family member who was on the scene when they found the 10-year-old girl.
“He is a family member and he is very cooperative and helping the police with the investigation.”
The man who made the emergency call was seen assisting police at the scene while wearing a blue forensic suit. Courier post reported.
No charges have been filed.
Inspector Serafim added that officers and paramedics had experienced a ‘quite traumatic’ situation.
“These officers and the emergency responders are receiving internal guidance in connection with the incident to which they were exposed,” she said.
Forensic officers were seen entering the home and a gazebo was erected outside the front facade
The police have cordoned off the street
One of the girl’s parents made the horrific discovery at a home in Emerald Lakes, Carrara, on the Gold Coast, just after 6pm on Tuesday
On Tuesday evening, several ambulances were in front of the house, while police cordoned off the street.
Forensic personnel were seen entering the home and a gazebo was placed in front of the door.
A Queensland Police spokesman said: ‘Police have launched a murder investigation following the death of a girl in Carrara this evening.
‘At around 6pm, emergency services were called to a home on Central Place.
A 10-year-old girl was found unconscious and pronounced dead at the scene.
A crime scene has been established and an investigation into the circumstances is underway.
‘There is no further information available at this time.’