Fountain lined with candles, Amazing Grace sung as community pays tribute to slain girl Sophie Wang

Hundreds have farewelled a “compassionate and caring” young girl who was allegedly murdered by her mother, with a touching detail marking the farewell.

Hundreds of members of a quiet Gold Coast suburb where a young girl was allegedly murdered have shared their tears and tributes at a touching vigil a short distance from the child’s home.

Sophie Wang has been remembered as “compassionate and caring” as hundreds gather to pay tribute to the 10-year-old, after she was found dead in her Gold Coast home earlier in the week.

Emergency services were called to a home at Emerald Lakes in Carrara just after 6pm on Tuesday after Sophie’s father discovered her injured.

Hundreds have flocked to a candlelight vigil for slain schoolgirl Sophie Wang, who was allegedly murdered by her mother earlier this week. Picture: NewsWire / Richard Gosling

The girl’s death has shattered the tight-knit Emerald Lakes community, with tributes pouring in the days since her death. Picture: NewsWire / Richard Gosling

Paramedics attempted to revive the Emmanuel College year 5 student but she was declared dead at the scene.

The girl’s mother, Yingying Xu, 46, has since been charged with her murder.

On Friday evening, hundreds of mourners gathered around the Emerald Lakes main fountain to pay their respects.

A minute of silence was held for Sophie Wang, followed by the hymn Amazing Grace.

Many more were still gathered around the fountain - surrounded by dozens of candles - by the end of the vigil.

Lorraine Maxwell - one of the neighbours - told media the community was rallying around the girl’s father, Associate Professor Dr Yun Wang.

Students from Emmanuel College were among the mourners at Sophie Wang’s vigil. Picture: NewsWire / Richard Gosling

The vigil was marked by a minute of silence followed by the hymn Amazing Grace, as the Emerald Lakes main fountain was adorned with candles. Associate Professor Yun Wang. Picture: NewsWire / Richard Gosling

She said the entire community was there for him, sending all their love and prayers.

The girl’s death has shattered the tight-knit community, whose members expressed shock at the sudden and allegedly gruesome way Sophie died.

Central Place in Emerald Lakes was swarming with red and blue sirens on Tuesday night when the girl’s body was found.

Detectives and forensic officers were still combing the property on Friday.

Officers carried large paper bags from the house, which was still blocked off by police tape until later in the afternoon.

Piles of flowers were arranged on both sides of the street.

A note from the Emerald Lakes Market management team accompanied the floral tributes.

“Our thoughts go out to you all during this difficult time,” the note reads.

Police tape blocked off the Central Place address where Sophie Wang’s body was found. Picture: NewsWire / Blake Antrobus

The Emerald Lakes community lay candles around the main fountain. Picture: NewsWire / Richard Gosling

Colleagues of Sophie Wang’s father also joined the vigil. Picture: NewsWire / Richard Gosling

“Whilst we did carefully consider cancelling the market in light of this terrible tragedy, we also took into consideration the fact that the market is a place where people come together to connect to their community.

“We pride it on being a place of comfort to many and, with this in mind, decided to keep it open as an option for the community to be able to come together to seek comfort and heal.”

Tracey Donovan, a neighbour, described the family as “quiet”.

Piles of flowers lined the street. Picture: NewsWire / Blake Antrobus

She had seen Sophie go to school and heard her practising the violin in the house – saying the street and suburb was so quiet you could “hear a pin drop at night”.

Another neighbour said the family had lived in Central Place for six years.

He described the incident as “heartbreaking”, noting the little girl’s bag that she took to school was “almost bigger than her”.

Detective Acting Inspector Kent Ellis said the scene was “incredibly confronting”, with members of both the Queensland Police Service and paramedics set to receive support.

“In my 15-year career as a detective it’s one of the most confronting scenes I have seen,” he said at a press conference on Wednesday morning.

Sophie’s school Emmanuel College hosted a service on Friday morning to pay tribute to her, with principal Dan Brown describing Sophie as a “compassionate and caring” young girl who loved her academics.

“I knew Sophie as a student and I had interactions with her,” he said.

“She was a very bright young lady. She loved reading – she was a great reader.

“She was a great friend. She was known as being compassionate and caring. She loved music.

“Those memories will live on.”

Hundreds gathered to pay tribute to 10-year-old Sophie Wang, who was found dead in her Gold Coast home. Picture Supplied

Mr Brown expressed his condolences to the family and said the loss had also hit him “hard”.

“My feelings are complete devastation. As a principal, there’s nothing harder to deal with than the loss of a student but particularly around the tragic circumstances of this particular loss,” he said.

“I’m human, too. It hits me hard.”

Emmanuel College has offered support services for the school community who Mr Brown said had shown “incredible respect, character and strength”.

“Our staff … have been courageous, compassionate and they have put our students first,” Mr Brown said.

“I am grateful to them and proud of them.

“Equally, I am proud of our students.

“They have shown incredible respect, character and strength.

“They wrapped their hands around each other, looked after each other and cherished Sophie’s memory.”

Principal Dan Brown described Sophie as a ‘compassionate and caring’ young girl who loved her academics. Picture: 7News

The Courier-Mail reported that Emmanuel College sent out a letter to parents and carers on Wednesday morning.

“It is with a heavy heart that I inform you of a tragic incident that occurred in a home within Emerald Lakes last night, resulting in the passing of one of our beloved students,” the letter said.

“We are devastated by this incident and know it will profoundly impact our school community.

“Our prayers go out to the family and friends of the child, and we extend our deepest condolences to all those affected by this tragedy.”

Counselling will reportedly be available for students at the school.

“Our priority is the wellbeing of our students and staff, and we will do everything possible to help our community over the coming days,” he said.

“Please be assured we are here for all in our community – students, staff and parents – and these support services are available to anyone in need.

“While words cannot ease the shock and pain of such a tragic loss, please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you all.”

A candlelight vigil is set to be held at the main fountain at The Boulevard in Emerald Lakes from 4-5pm on Friday.

Originally published as Fountain lined with candles, Amazing Grace sung as community pays tribute to slain girl Sophie Wang