A heartbreaking reminder of the 10-year-old girl believed to have been murdered by her own mother still stands on the balcony of her home, as she is remembered as the “smartest person” in her school.
Emmanuel College Year 5 student Sophie Wang could not be saved by emergency services after they rushed to her home in Emerald Lakes, Carrara, on the Gold Coast, just after 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.
As a poignant reminder of the domestic tragedy, pieces of Sophie’s school uniform could be seen hanging on the balcony at the back of the house.
Sophie’s classmate Oliver Hayes, 11, laid flowers outside her house on Wednesday afternoon 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.”
Sophie Wang, a Year 5 student at Emmanuel College, could not be saved by paramedics after they rushed to her home in Emerald Lakes, Carrara, on the Gold Coast, just after 6pm on Tuesday. She was remembered by schoolmates as bright 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
The Carrara community and Emmanuel College, which is just metres away from the Wang Xu house, are shocked and saddened by the horrific incident.
On Thursday morning, several children, accompanied by their parents, laid flowers at the crime scene on their way to school.
The street is still cordoned off with police tape and a large forensic investigation vehicle is parked outside the front door of the property. On Thursday morning, a team of officers were seen entering and exiting the suburban home.
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
This comes as a candlelight vigil for Sophie is held at the main fountain in Emerald Lakes on Friday at 4pm.
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.
In a heartbreaking reminder of the domestic tragedy, pieces of little Sophie’s school uniform were seen hanging on a line to dry on the balcony at the back of the house (pictured)
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 Tuesday evening, Daily Mail Australia reported that detectives are investigating religious TikToks made by Sophie’s mother on the same day she allegedly murdered her.
Earlier on Tuesday, Xu 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 Inspector Kent Ellis told reporters on Wednesday.
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.
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.