A school friend of the 10-year-old girl allegedly murdered by her own mother has written a heartbreaking tribute honouring the ‘timid but incredibly sweet and kind’ victim, as the community struggles to come to terms with the tragedy.
Sophie Wang, a Year 5 student at Emmanuel College, was unable to be saved by paramedics after they rushed to her home in Emerald Lakes, in Carrara, on the Gold Coast, just after 6pm on Tuesday.
Her academic father, associate professor Yun Wang, had found the 10-year-old with her throat allegedly slashed and phoned triple zero.
Sophie’s 46-year-old mother, Yingying Xu, was arrested in a nearby street just before 10.30pm and later charged with murder.
On Friday morning, Emmanuel College held a moving ‘time of reflection and prayer for Sophie’s family, friends, our community and all who have been impacted by this tragedy’ before their chapel service.
Grief-stricken children laid flowers, candles and heartfelt messages for their classmate, who was previously described as the ‘smartest girl in the school’.
One girl, whose little brother was in Sophie’s grade, said he had described her as ‘a bit timid, but incredibly sweet and kind’.
‘Everyone here in Emmanuel is devastated and deeply saddened because we lost a beautiful, amazing girl who would’ve had a bright future if she wasn’t taken so soon,’ one letter said.
‘I hope that wherever you are now, you are happy and thriving.’
Another ‘year two buddy’ of Sophie’s, said she had a ‘pretty, cheery face’.
‘I’m so sorry this happened to you and i hope the pain has eased and you are safe,’ the girl wrote.
