Emerald Lakes street on Gold Coast turned alleged murder scene after Sophie Wang, 10, found dead

A neighbour has described a loved one’s pain after a Gold Coast schoolgirl, 10, was found dead at her home. “That was a cry that words cannot explain – haunting.”

It’s the quintessential quiet, tree-lined street. Colourful, two-storey villas, nestled together amidst carefully tended gardens.

Front doors leading straight to a path almost perfectly designed for playing, skipping, riding a bike.

A short walk from the welcoming embrace of Emmanuel College – the bedrock of a community that values its young people.

Yet on Tuesday evening the normal quiet of an Emerald Lakes street was pierced in the most terrible way possible, by the anguished cries of a devastated father.

A man who had just discovered his daughter, 10-year-old Sophie Wang, allegedly with her throat slashed, lying dead in their home.

“I just heard him wailing,” neighbour Tracey Donovan said.

“It was the most horrific sound I have ever heard.

“That was a cry that words cannot explain – haunting.”

The scene at Emerald Lakes in Carrara where 10-year-old Sophie Wang was found dead. Picture: Glenn Hampson.

On Wednesday morning, like the unseasonal rain soaking the area, the shock of what had happened was washing through the tight-knit community.

It was too much for some residents. Neighbour Lorine Zschukn became overwhelmed with emotion as she passed the crime scene, on what would usually be her daily walk with her dog.

“I haven’t slept all night - I’m shocked,” Mrs Zschukn said, while fighting back tears.

“We are a very, very tight community.

“I’ve been living here for seven years. It’s just unbelievable.”

Emerald Lakes resident Lorine Zschukn Picture: Charlton Hart

A short distance away a team of counsellors, some from neighbouring schools who reached out to help, were ready as students at Emmanuel College made their way in the gates.

The school, where Sophie was a Year 5 pupil, is well known for its caring approach, epitomised in recent years by principal Dan Brown’s introduction of a wellness dog called Mylo.

In a statement, the school said its community was “devastated”.

“Our prayers are with the family, friends, first responders and all affected by the loss of this beloved child in her home,” the statement said.

Detective Acting Inspector Kent Ellis was one of those first responders.

Emergency services at the scene at Emerald Lakes where 10-year-old Sophie Wang was found dead. Picture: Supplied.

He said the scene was unlike anything he had seen.

“Our attending members, both the police and paramedics, will be receiving support,” he said.

“In my 15-year career as a detective it is one of the most confronting scenes I have seen.”

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate said the whole city was in mourning.

“It was heart-wrenching. If you are a person who has family or kids, to read it and absorb it takes a bit of your soul away,” he said.

“This is a very sad event and when something like that happens, it takes a little bit out of everybody.”

Flowers laid at the scene. Picture: Charlton Hart.

Local MP, Meaghan Scanlon, said what had happened was an “unspeakable tragedy”.

“I am shocked and deeply saddened by the death of 10-year-old Sophie Wang and extend sincere condolences to everyone involved,” she said.

“My heart goes out to family, friends and classmates and the emergency services who have been shaken by this unspeakable tragedy.

“Additional services have been mobilised and support is available for anyone impacted during this difficult time.”

Emmanuel College students arrive with flowers at the scene. Picture: Charlton Hart.

Most shaken of all, the residents of this quiet corner of Emerald Lakes. None had ever known anything so awful. Or expected they ever would.

On Wednesday afternoon, the heaviest August rains in a decade finally cleared above the quiet street that Sophie Wang hadcalled home. Beautiful bouquets of flowers, from stunned community members, were laid neatly just metres from where she losther life.

Among those laying flowers was Emmanuel college student Oliver Hayes, 11, paying his respects to his class mate and friend.

“To hear what happened, really made me cry,” he said. “She was really nice to me and I really enjoyed it.

“There’s so many words to describe her. Kind and cares about anyone in need.”

Laid on a quiet, friendly street, which should only ever have been the scene of childhood dreams, that had instead become scene of an unimaginable nightmare.

Follow @keithjwoods

Originally published as Emerald Lakes street on Gold Coast turned alleged murder scene after Sophie Wang, 10, found dead