Sophie Wang, 10, was brutally murdered in Queensland, Australia, on Tuesday.
Sophie Wang, 10, was brutally murdered in Queensland, Australia, on Tuesday.
A candlelight vigil will be held as a community rallies behind a grieving academic after his young daughter was allegedly murdered by his wife.
People have been asked to gather and remember 10-year-old Sophie Wang at the Gold Coast on Friday as support grows for her distraught father.
Dr Yun Wang raised the alarm when he found his daughter at their Emerald Lakes home in Carrara on Tuesday night, reportedly when he returned home from work.
Wang could reportedly be heard by neighbours screaming after discovering Sophie’s body.
❤️HER NAME IS: SOPHIE WANG!❤️
August 13, 2024: 10-year-old Sophie Wang was killed in her home at Carrara on Tuesday. Today, her mother faced court charged with Sophie's murder. Sophie is the 10th Australian child killed this year. pic.twitter.com/acXNI62SBX
Paramedics attempted to revive the girl but she was declared dead at the “incredibly confronting” scene.
Yingying Xu, 46, named by multiple media outlets as Wang’s wife and Sophie’s mother, was arrested in a nearby street hours later and charged with murder.
Xu was remanded in custody after her matter appeared in Southport Magistrates Court on Wednesday and was adjourned until November 29.
Yingying Xu, left, has been charged with the murder of Sophie Wang, right.
An hour-long vigil will be held from 4pm at Emerald Lakes’ The Boulevard on Friday as the shocked community rallies behind Sophie’s grieving father.
“This is absolutely sickening, gut-wrenching, awful,” Queensland Premier Steven Miles said of the incident.
“I just can’t imagine how that father felt and hearing the reports of him screaming – nobody would ever wish that on him.”
Wang is an associate professor in chemistry and forensic science at Griffith University, which has thrown its support behind the respected academic.
“We are deeply saddened to hear about the tragic death of the daughter of a valued member of the Griffith community,” a university spokesperson said in a statement.
“Our thoughts are with the family and friends at this incredibly difficult time.”
Wang’s Griffith University profile said he is also a fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry, completing his postdoctoral training at the University of Texas in the United States, and the University of Sydney.
He earned his PhD degree from China’s Fudan University, according to his profile.
The Gold Coast community is reeling after the young girl’s death, with her school offering counselling to students, staff and parents.
“Our prayers are with the family, friends, first responders and all affected by the loss of this beloved child in her home,” it said in a statement.
“Our priority is supporting our community at this difficult time. We have mobilised our counselling and pastoral care teams to provide comprehensive support to students, staff, and parents as our community comes to terms with this distressing news.”
