Hundreds gather at vigil for slain Gold Coast girl

Hundreds have gathered at a candlelight vigil to remember Sophie Wang after the 10-year-old was allegedly killed by her mother on the Gold Coast.

Mourners paid tribute at Emerald Lakes in Carrara on Friday afternoon after the community was left reeling by the tragedy.

The hour-long vigil was held after an emotional service at Sophie’s school, Emmanuel College, on Friday morning, amid a public outpouring of grief for the year five student.

People are seen during a vigil for schoolgirl Sophie Wang at Emerald Lakes on the Gold Coast.Credit: AAPIMAGE

Emerald Lakes local Tamara Christensen said she had considered the area her “happy place” but the tragedy had turned her world upside down.

“The last couple of days it’s just felt sad, eerie,” she said at the vigil.

“How could it happen?

“I just felt like I should come down here and pay my respects.”

A minute’s silence was held at the vigil before Emmanuel College principal Dan Brown addressed the crowd.

“This is a testament to the strength of our community,” he said.

“Thank you all for being here to cherish Sophie.”

Messages from the school friends of schoolgirl Sophie Wang are seen at a memorial at Emmanuel College at Emerald Lakes.Credit: AAPIMAGE

Sophie’s father Yun Wang could reportedly be heard by neighbours screaming after discovering Sophie at their Emerald Lakes home in Carrara on Tuesday night.

She was declared dead at the “incredibly confronting” scene and her mother Yingying Xu, 46, was later charged with murder.

Floral tributes have been placed at her home, which is one street away from Emmanuel College where hundreds gathered for the chapel service on Friday morning.

The chapel could not accommodate all the mourners, with the service broadcast outside.

Flowers and messages were left at a makeshift memorial at the school.

“What will continue is Sophie’s legacy and her memory,” Brown told reporters earlier on Friday.

“She will be remembered as a bright, intelligent, thoughtful...girl that loved her academics, loved reading.

“She also loved to sing and she was caring and compassionate and was a really great friend - those memories will live on.”

Brown said he was feeling “complete devastation” before confirming the school had offered counselling to students, staff and parents.

“They have shown incredible respect, character and strength for this particular tragedy,” he said of his staff and students’ response to the tragedy.

“They wrapped their hands around each other.

“I would also like to express, on behalf of the school, my deepest gratitude to the broader community for their well-wishes.”

“The incident on the Gold Coast is just heartbreaking” Queensland Health Minister Shannon Fentiman said.

“These sorts of events really do impact the entire community.”

The community is also rallying around Sophie’s father, a respected academic.

He is an associate professor in chemistry and forensic science at Griffith University.

His wife Xu was remanded in custody after her case came before Southport Magistrates Court on Wednesday and was adjourned until November 29.

Police said they were continuing to investigate the motive of the alleged homicide, including the social media activity of the accused.

AAP